Osteoclast inhibitors for knee conditions

ABSTRACT

Oral dosage forms of osteoclast inhibitors, such as zoledronic acid, in an acid or a salt form can be used to treat or alleviate pain or related conditions, such as knee pain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/335,381, filed Oct. 26, 2016, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/967,234 filed on Dec. 11, 2015, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,511,081, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.14/605,822 filed on Jan. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,216,153, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/604,524 filed onJan. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,257, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/536,526filed on Nov. 7, 2014, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/446,184 filed on Jul. 29, 2014, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,006,279, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/288,716 filed on May 28, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.8,835,650, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No.61/933,608, filed on Jan. 30, 2014; the above U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/536,526 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/279,229 filed on May 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,034,889, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/063,979 filed on Oct. 25, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,802,658, which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/894,274 filed onMay 14, 2013, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Pat. App. Nos. 61/803,721 filed on Mar. 20, 2013, 61/767,647filed on Feb. 21, 2013, 61/767,676 filed on Feb. 21, 2013, 61/764,563filed on Feb. 14, 2013, 61/762,225 filed on Feb. 7, 2013, 61/655,541filed on Jun. 5, 2012, 61/655,527 filed on Jun. 5, 2012, 61/654,383filed on Jun. 1, 2012, 61/654,292 filed on Jun. 1, 2012, 61/647,478filed on May 15, 2012, and 61/646,538 filed on May 14, 2012; thisapplication is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/368,355, filed Dec. 2, 2016, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/349,926, filed Nov. 11, 2016, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,662,343, which is a continuation-in-part ofInternational Pat. App. No. PCT/US2015/032739, filed May 27, 2015, whichis a continuation of International Pat. App. No. PCT/US2014/050427,filed Aug. 8, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/279,241, filed May 15, 2014, now abandoned; any of theapplications, U.S. patents issued from, or U.S. publications of any ofthe above applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY

Bisphosphonate compounds are potent inhibitors of osteoclast activity,and are used clinically to treat bone-related conditions such asosteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone; and cancer-related conditionsincluding multiple myeloma, and bone metastases from solid tumors. Theygenerally have low oral bioavailability.

Patchy osteoporosis and bone marrow edema may result from osteoclasthyperactivity. Zoledronic acid is a potent inhibitor of bone resorptionand osteoclast activity. Nitrogen containing bisphosphonates, such aszoledronic acid, also inhibit the mevalonate pathway in the osteoclastthereby interrupting normal osteoclast function.

It has been discovered that oral dosage forms of bisphosphonatecompounds, such as zoledronic acid, can be used to treat or alleviatepain or related conditions.

Some embodiments include a method of enhancing the oral bioavailabilityof zoledronic acid comprising orally administering a dosage formcontaining zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form.

Some embodiments include a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in thedisodium salt form, wherein the bioavailability, in a mammal, ofzoledronic acid in the disodium salt form is greater than thebioavailability of zoledronic acid in the diacid form would be in thesame dosage form.

Some embodiments include a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in anacid or a salt form, such as the disodium salt form, wherein the dosageform contains an amount of zoledronic acid in the disodium salt formthat provides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronicacid of about 4 ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL to a human being to whichthe dosage form is administered.

Some embodiments include a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in thedisodium salt form, wherein the disodium salt form is present in a lowermolar amount than would be present if the zoledronic acid were in thediacid form; and wherein the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt formhas an improved bioavailability as compared to the zoledronic acid inthe diacid form to the extent that the lower molar amount of thedisodium salt in the dosage form does not reduce the amount ofzoledronic acid delivered to the plasma of a mammal.

Although an oral dosage form with enhanced bioavailability with respectto the bisphosphonate compound can be used, the treatment can also beeffective using an oral dosage form that includes a bisphosphonatecompound, such as zoledronic acid, wherein the bioavailability of thebisphosphonate is unenhanced, or is substantially unenhanced.

Some embodiments include a method of relieving inflammatory paincomprising administering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acidto a mammal in need thereof, wherein the mammal experiences significantpain relief more than 3 hours after administration of the dosage form.

Some embodiments include a method of relieving pain associated with anarthritis comprising administering an oral dosage form containingzoledronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Some embodiments include a method of treating complex regional painsyndrome comprising administering an oral dosage form containingzoledronic acid to a mammal in need thereof.

Some embodiments include an oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid,wherein the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid is substantiallyunenhanced. For example, in some embodiments, the oral bioavailabilityin the dosage form is about 0.01% to about 4%.

Some embodiments include a pharmaceutical product comprising more thanone unit of an oral dosage form described herein. In some embodiments,each unit of the oral dosage form contains about 1 mg to about 50 mg ofzoledronic acid.

Some embodiments include a method of relieving inflammatory paincomprising administering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acidto a mammal in need thereof.

In some embodiments, the mammal receives a total monthly dose ofzoledronic acid that is about 800 mg/m² or less.

In some embodiments, the dosage form contains about 10 mg/m² to about 20mg/m² based upon the body surface area of the mammal.

Some embodiments include a method of relieving inflammatory paincomprising orally administering zoledronic acid to a mammal in needthereof.

In some embodiments, about 300 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m² of zoledronicacid is administered per month, based upon the body surface area of themammal.

In some embodiments, about 50 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m² of zoledronicacid is administered per month, based upon the body surface area of themammal.

Some embodiments include administering an osteoclast inhibitor, such asa bisphosphonate, including zoledronic acid, neridronic acid, etc. toinhibit the development of pain, unweighting, and edema whenadministered early such as when a precipitating event such as fractureoccurs, wherein the precipitating event is associated with CRPS.

Some embodiments include administering an osteoclast inhibitor, such asa bisphosphonate, including zoledronic acid, neridronic acid, etc. toreverse established allodynia and unweighting when administered at least4 weeks after a precipitating event such as fracture that is associatedwith CRPS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plot of pain compression thresholds in a rat model ofinflammatory pain using three different doses of zoledronic acid.Measurements were taken at baseline (BL) and at various time pointsafter dosing on the days indicated.

FIG. 2A is a graph depicting reversal of arthritis pain for twodifferent doses of zoledronic acid in a rat model of arthritis pain.

FIG. 2B is a graph depicting pain thresholds for two different doses ofzoledronic acid in a rat model of arthritis pain.

FIG. 3 is a graph summarizing the results for vehicle and zoledronicacid treated rats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 4 depicts hindpaw pain thresholds for vehicle and zoledronic acidtreated rats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 5 depicts weight bearing for vehicle and zoledronic acid treatedrats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 6 depicts paw thickness change for vehicle and zoledronic acidtreated rats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 7 depicts the aqueous solubility of disodium zoledronatetetrahydrate as compared to the diacid form of zoledronic acid.

FIG. 8 depicts the plasma concentration of zoledronic acid in dogs overtime after administration of 150 mg of the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid and the diacid form of zoledronic acid.

FIG. 9 depicts the compressibility of dosage forms containing zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form as compared to the diacid form.

FIG. 10 depicts the change in VAS pain score compared to placebo atthree months with zoledronic acid treatment in patients withosteoarthritis of the knee, bone marrow lesions, and different degreesof joint space narrowing.

FIG. 11 depicts the change in VAS pain score compared to baseline atthree months with zoledronic acid treatment in patients withosteoarthritis of the knee, bone marrow lesions, and different degreesof joint space narrowing.

FIG. 12 depicts the change in VAS pain score compared to placebo atthree months with zoledronic acid treatment in different subgroups ofpatients with osteoarthritis of the knee and bone marrow lesions.

FIG. 13 depicts the change in BML lesion size compared to placebo at sixmonths with zoledronic acid treatment in patients with osteoarthritis ofthe knee, bone marrow lesions, and different degrees of joint spacenarrowing.

FIG. 14 depicts hindpaw pain thresholds for vehicle and zoledronic acidtreated rats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 15 depicts weight bearing for vehicle and zoledronic acid treatedrats in a rat model of complex regional pain syndrome.

FIG. 16 depicts hindpaw pain thresholds for rats administered zoledronicacid at the time of fracture as compared to rats administered zoledronicacid four weeks after fracture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Inhibitors of osteoclast activity include bisphosphonate compounds suchas pamidronate or pamidronic acid, neridronate or neridronic acid,olpadronate or olpadronic acid, alendronate or alendronic acid,incadronate or incadronic acid, ibandronate or ibandronic acid,risedronate or risedronic acid, cimadronate or cimadronic acid,zoledronate or zoledronic acid, etidronate or etidronic acid, clodronateor clodronic acid, tiludronate or tiludronic acid, etc.

RANK/RANKL antagonists may be inhibitors of osteoclast activity.RANK/RANKL antagonists include but are not limited to OPG(osteoprotegerin) or a variant thereof, an anti-RANKL antibody such asdenosumab, a monoclonal anti-RANKL antibody, a small interfering RNA, amicroRNA, a precursor molecule, a ribozyme, an antisense nucleic acid,or an aptamer targeting RANKL. Antibodies such as AB-25E9, smallmolecules, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, precursor molecules,ribozymes, antisense nucleic acids, or aptamers that target thecell-surface protein Siglec-15 may be osteoclast inhibitors.

Some Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors may be inhibitors ofosteoclast activity. BTK inhibitors can include ONO-4059; ibrutinib;Benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide,N-[3-[6-[[4-[(2R)-1,4-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-piperazinyl]phenyl]amino]-4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-pyrazinyl]-2-methylphenyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-(GDC-0834); RN-486; Benzamide,4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-N-[3-[8-(phenylamino)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl]phenyl]-(CGI-560);Benzamide,N-[3-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-6-[[4-(4-morpholinylcarbonyl)phenyl]amino]-5-oxo-2-pyrazinyl]-2-methylphenyl]-4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-(CGI-1746CAS Registry No. 910232-84-7); HM-71224; 2-Propenamide,N-[3-[[5-fluoro-2-[[4-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl]amino]-4-pyrimidinyl]amino]phenyl]- (CC-292, CAS Registry No.1202757-89-8); 2-Pyridinecarboxamide,4-[4-[[5-fluoro-4-[[3-[(1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)amino]phenyl]amino]-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]phenoxy]-N-methyl-(CNX-774, CAS Registry No. 1202759-32-7), AVL-101 (CAS Registry No.1552307-34-2), AVL-291 (CAS Registry No. 1552307-35-3), and AVL-292 (CASRegistry No. 1552307-36-4),[N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-(6-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-ylamino)thiazole-5-carboxamide](dasatinib), alpha-cyano-beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-N-(2,5-bromophenyl)propenamide (LFM-A13), and ONO-WG-307.

Inhibitors of osteoclast activity may be used for a number of medicalpurposes, such as treatment of undesirable conditions or diseases,including pain relief. This may be accomplished in many instances byadministration of oral dosage forms. Generally, an oral dosage formcomprising a bisphosphonate such as zoledronic acid is administeredorally to a mammal, such as a human being, at least once, to treat adisease or condition, or to relieve pain.

The compounds containing Ion 1 or Ion 2 may also be osteoclastinhibitors:

The term “treating” or “treatment” broadly includes any kind oftreatment activity, including the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, orprevention of disease in man or other animals, or any activity thatotherwise affects the structure or any function of the body of man orother animals.

An oral dosage form of a bisphosphonate such as zoledronic acid may beused to treat, or provide relief of, any type of pain including, but notlimited to, inflammatory pain, arthritis pain, complex regional painsyndrome, lumbosacral pain, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain,chronic pain, cancer-related pain, acute pain, postoperative pain, etc.In some instances, pain relief may be palliative, or pain relief may beprovided independent of improvement of the disease or condition or theunderlying cause of the disease or condition. For example, although theunderlying disease may not improve, or may continue to progress, anindividual suffering from the disease may experience pain relief. Insome embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid may beachieved in treating one of these conditions by administering a dosageform comprising zoledronic acid in the form of a disodium salt. This mayallow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt to be used as comparedto what would be used with the diacid form.

In some embodiments, the mammal being treated is not suffering from bonemetastasis. In some embodiments, the mammal being treated is notsuffering from cancer. In some embodiments, the mammal being treated isnot suffering from osteoporosis.

For example, zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may beadministered orally to relieve musculoskeletal pain including low backpain, and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoidarthritis, osteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, sero-negative(non-rheumatoid) arthropathies, non-articular rheumatism, peri-articulardisorders, axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis,Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, SAPHO syndrome, transientosteoarthritis of the hip, vertebral crush fractures, osteoporosis, etc.In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid maybe achieved in treating one of these conditions by administering adosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the form of a disodium salt.This may allow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt to be used ascompared to what would be used with the diacid form.

An osteoclast inhibitor, such as a bisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid,may also be used to treat bone fractures or to enhance the healing ofbone fractures. In some embodiments, a human being that is treated forCRPS, suffered from a precipitating injury such as a bone fractureassociated with the CRPS at least 4 weeks, at least 8 weeks, at least 12weeks, at least six months, or at least 1 year before firstadministering an osteclast inhibitor, such as a bisphosphonate,including zoledronic acid, neridronic acid, etc. Examples of aprecipitating event include a fracture, a cutting injury, a scratch, apuncture injury, etc.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may alsobe administered orally to relieve neuropathic pain, including diabeticperipheral neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia,monoradiculopathies, phantom limb pain, and central pain. Other causesof neuropathic pain include cancer-related pain, lumbar nerve rootcompression, spinal cord injury, post-stroke pain, central multiplesclerosis pain, HIV-associated neuropathy, and radio-therapy orchemo-therapy associated neuropathy. In some embodiments, enhancedbioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved in treating oneof these conditions by administering a dosage form comprising zoledronicacid in the form of a disodium salt. This may allow a reduced molaramount of the disodium salt to be used as compared to what would be usedwith the diacid form.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may beadministered orally to relieve inflammatory pain includingmusculoskeletal pain, arthritis pain, and complex regional painsyndrome. In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of thezoledronic acid may be achieved in treating one of these conditions byadministering a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the form of adisodium salt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of the disodiumsalt to be used as compared to what would be used with the diacid form.

Examples of musculoskeletal pain include low back pain; and painassociated with vertebral crush fractures, fibrous dysplasia,osteogenesis imperfecta, Paget's disease of bone, transientosteoporosis, and transient osteoporosis of the hip.

Arthritis refers to inflammatory joint diseases that can be associatedwith pain. Examples of arthritis pain include pain associated withosteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenilerheumatoid arthritis, sero-negative (non-rheumatoid) arthropathies,non-articular rheumatism, peri-articular disorders, neuropathicarthropathies including Charcot's foot, axial spondyloarthritisincluding ankylosing spondylitis, and SAPHO syndrome.

In some embodiments, a human being that is treated for a disease orcondition, such as an inflammatory condition, e.g. arthritis or CRPS, byan osteoclast inhibitor, such as a bisphosphonate, e.g. an oral dosageform of zoledronic acid, has an age of at least 18 years, at least 50years (including a male of at least 50 years), a postmenopausal female,about 10 years to about 90 years, about 20 years to about 80 years,about 30 years to about 75 years, about 40 years to about 70 years,about 1 year to about 16 years, or about 80 years to about 95 years. Insome embodiments, the human being is a male at least 50 years of age ora postmenopausal female, with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and bone marrowlessions (BMLs), having moderate or worse knee pain.

In some embodiments, a human being that is treated for a disease orcondition, such as an inflammatory condition, e.g. arthritis, low backpain, or CRPS, by an osteoclast inhibitor, such as a bisphosphonate,e.g. an oral dosage form of zoledronic acid, has suffered from theinflammatory condition for at least 1 month, at least 2 months, at least3 months, at least 6 months, or at least 1 year.

In some embodiments, the arthritis affects a knee, an elbow, a finger, awrist, a shoulder, an ankle, the spine, or a hip.

For treatment of arthritis or joint pain, such as knee pain, in someembodiments the person being treated has OARSI Grade 0, or Kellgren andLawrence Grades 0 or 1, joint space narrowing.

In some embodiments, the person has lesions, such as bone marrowlesions. In some embodiments the person being treated for bone marrowlesions has normal joint space knee pain, OARSI Grade 0, or Kellgren andLawrence Grades 0 or 1, joint space narrowing.

In some embodiments, the person has baseline pain intensity of 5 orgreater measured using the 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS), or 50 mmor greater using the 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). In someembodiments the person being treated for pain has normal joint spaceknee pain, OARSI Grade 0, or Kellgren and Lawrence Grades 0 or 1, jointspace narrowing.

Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) include regional bone marrow signal intensityalterations on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). BMLs can be present inthe knee and can be an important feature of osteoarthritis of the knee.BMLs have also been described in other rheumatic conditions such asrheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, ankylosing spondylitis, andtransient osteoporosis of the hip and are often referred to as bonemarrow edema (BME).

In some embodiments, a person being treated for arthritis, such as withzoledronic acid, has osteoarthritis of the knee associated with bonemarrow lesions.

In some embodiments, an inhibitor of osteoclast activity can be used totreat bone marrow lesions.

In some embodiments, an inhibitor of osteoclast activity can be used totreat bone marrow lesions of the knee, shoulder, ankle, wrist, hand,fingers, spine, or hip.

Commonly used measures of pain intensity include the visual analog scale(VAS) and the numerical rating scale (NRS). With the VAS approach,patients rate the severity of their pain by marking a point on a 10-cm(or 100 mm) VAS (0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain). With the NRSapproach, patients rate the severity of their pain by verballyresponding to a 10-point NRS (0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain). VASand NRS scores have been shown to be strongly correlated (slope ofregression line, 1.01), indicating that a score on the 10-cm VAS isequivalent to the same score on 10-point NRS (Bijur P E et al. AcadEmerg Med 2003; 10:390-392). For example, a VAS score of 5 cm (or 50 mm)is equivalent to an NRS score of 5. Knee pain in a person with a VASscore of 5 cm or 50 mm or higher, or an NRS score of 5 or higher, may bereferred to herein as moderate to severe knee pain.

In some embodiments, the patient suffering from pain, inflammation, asimilar condition, or any of the conditions described herein, has an NRSof 5 or greater, or a VAS of 5 cm or greater. In some embodiments, thepatient has an NRS of 4 or greater, or a VAS of 4 cm or greater. In someembodiments, the patient has an NRS of 6 or greater, or a VAS of 6 cm orgreater. In some embodiments, the patient has an NRS of 7 or greater, ora VAS of 7 cm or greater. In some embodiments, the patient has an NRS ofabout 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8,about 9, or about 10. In some embodiments, the patient has a VAS ofabout 1 cm, about 2 cm, about 3 cm, about 4 cm, about 5 cm, about 6 cm,about 7 cm, about 8 cm, about 9 cm, or about 10 cm.

For knee pain or pain associated with bone marrow lesions, in someembodiments, treatment with a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate such aszoledronic acid may decrease the visual analog (VAS) pain score measuredusing a 100 mm scale, by at least about 5 mm, at least about 8 mm, atleast about 10 mm, at least about 15 mm, up to about 50 mm, or up toabout 100 mm. In some embodiments, the VAS score, may be decreased by atleast about 5 mm, at least about 8 mm, at least about 10 mm, at leastabout 15 mm, up to about 50 mm, or up to about 100 mm, as compared to aplacebo.

Treatment with a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate such as zoledronicacid may decrease the numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score measuredusing a 0-10 scale, by at least about 0.1, at least about 0.5, at leastabout 0.8, at least about 1, at least about 1.5, up to about 5, or up toabout 10. In some embodiments, the NRS score may be decreased by atleast about 0.1, at least about 0.5, at least about 0.8, at least about1, at least about 1.5, up to about 5, or up to about 10, as compared toa placebo.

In some embodiments, an inhibitor of osteoclast activity can be used toreduce the size of bone marrow lesions. The area of the lesions may bemeasured as the total area of all lesions or as the area of any onelesion. In some embodiments, the total area includes the medial tibialarea, the medial femoral area, the lateral tibial area, and the lateralfemoral area. In some embodiments the bone marrow lesion in located inthe patella.

In some embodiments, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclast activityachieves a reduction in the total area of the bone marrow lesions of atleast about 240 mm². In some embodiments, the reduction in total area isat least about 220 mm², at least about 200 mm², at least about 150 mm²,at least about 100 mm², or at least about 50 mm². In some embodiments,the reduction in size of bone marrow lesions represents a reductionrelative to baseline of at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at leastabout 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%,at least about 70% at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about100%. In some embodiments, the reduction in area of bone marrow lesionsrepresents an improvement relative to placebo of at least about 10%, atleast about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, atleast about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 120%, at leastabout 150%, at least about 170%, at least about 200%, at least about250%, at least about 300%, at least about 350%, at least about 400%, orat least about 450%. In some embodiments, the use of an inhibitor ofosteoclast activity inhibits an increase in the size of the bone marrowlesions over time.

Joint space narrowing (JSN) is typically graded using the OsteoarthritisResearch Society International (OARSI) atlas criteria, or the Kellgrenand Lawrence (K/L) system. The OARSI atlas criteria grades JSN using a0-3 scale with Grade 0 indicating an absence of JSN, and Grades 1, 2 and3 indicating mild, moderate, and severe JSN, respectively (Altman andGold, Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2007; 15(Suppl A):A1-A56). The K/L systemgrades JSN using a 0-4 scale with Grade 0 indicating an absence of JSN,Grade 1 indicating doubtful JSN, and grades 2, 3 and 4 indicatingminimal, moderate, and severe JSN, respectively (Kellgren and Lawrence,Ann Rheum Dis 1957; 16:494-502). Based on these criteria, OARSI Grade 0(absence of JSN), approximates K/L Grades 0-1 (absence of, or doubtfulpresence of JSN). Knee pain in a person having OARSI Grade 0 or K/LGrade or 1 JSN in the knee where the pain occurs may be referred toherein as a “normal joint space knee pain.”

In some embodiments for patients having OARSI Grade 0 or K/L Grades 0-1JSN, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclast activity achieves a reductionin the total area of the bone marrow lesions of at least about 240 mm².In some embodiments, the reduction in total area is at least about 220mm², at least about 200 mm², at least about 150 mm², at least about 100mm², or at least about 50 mm². In some embodiments, the reduction insize of bone marrow lesions represents a reduction relative to baselineof at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at leastabout 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%,at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at leastabout 70% at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%. In someembodiments, the reduction in area of bone marrow lesions represents animprovement relative to placebo of at least about 10%, at least about20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, atleast about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about90%, at least about 100%, at least about 120%, at least about 150%, atleast about 170%, at least about 200%, at least about 250%, at leastabout 300%, at least about 350%, at least about 400%, or at least about450%. In some embodiments, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclastactivity inhibits an increase in the size of bone marrow lesions overtime.

In some embodiments for patients having OARSI Grades 1-2 or K/L Grades2-4 JSN, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclast activity achieves areduction in the total area of the bone marrow lesions of at least about100 mm². In some embodiments, the reduction in total area is at leastabout 50 mm², at least about 60 mm², at least about 80 mm², at leastabout 85 mm², at least about 90 mm², at least about 100 mm², at leastabout 105 mm², at least about 110 mm², or at least about 115 mm². Insome embodiments, the reduction in size of bone marrow lesionsrepresents a reduction relative to baseline of at least about 10%, atleast about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70% at least about 80%, at leastabout 90%, or about 100%. In some embodiments, the reduction in area ofbone marrow lesions represents an improvement relative to placebo of atleast about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, atleast about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about115%, at least about 125%, at least about 135%, at least about 150%, atleast about 170%, at least about 200%, at least about 250%, at leastabout 300%, at least about 350%, at least about 400%, or at least about450%. In some embodiments, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclastactivity inhibits an increase in the size of bone marrow lesions overtime.

In some embodiments, an inhibitor of osteoclast activity, such as anitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, including e.g. zoledronic acid,minodronic acid, etc., is used to treat fibromyalgia.

According to some embodiments, administration of an inhibitor ofosteoclast activity achieves a reduction in pain that lasts at leastabout one month, two months, three months, four months, six months, oreven at least about twelve months. According some embodiments,administration of an inhibitor of osteoclast activity achieves areduction in pain that is observed at greater than three hours, at aboutone day, at about two to about five days, at about one week, at abouttwo weeks, at about three weeks, at about one month, at about fiveweeks, at about six weeks, at about seven weeks, at about two months, atabout nine weeks, at about ten weeks, at about eleven weeks, at aboutthree months, at about four months, at about six months, or at abouttwelve months after administration of the inhibitor of osteoclastactivity.

According some embodiments, administration of an inhibitor of osteoclastactivity achieves a reduction in pain that is observed at greater thanthree hours, but at or before one week, two weeks, three weeks, fourweeks, five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks, eight weeks, nine weeks, tenweeks, eleven weeks, twelve weeks, four months, five months, or sixmonths.

According some embodiments, administration of an inhibitor of osteoclastactivity achieves a reduction in pain that is observed at greater thanthree hours with a duration of no more than about three months, no morethan about four months, no more than about five months, or no more thanabout six months.

According to some embodiments, after the administration of an inhibitorof osteoclast activity, the area of bone marrow lesions relative to thesize prior to administration remains reduced for up to three months,four months, five months, six months, or even up to twelve months ormore. According to some embodiments, after the administration of aninhibitor of osteoclast activity, the area of bone marrow lesionsrelative to the size prior to administration is reduced at about threemonths, at about four months, at about five months, at about six months,or at about twelve months.

According to some embodiments, after administration of an inhibitor ofosteoclast activity, the size of Modic changes or VESCs relative to thesize prior to administration remains reduced for up to three months,four months, five months, six months, or even up to twelve months ormore. According to some embodiments, after the administration of aninhibitor of osteoclast activity, the size of Modic changes or VESCsrelative to the size prior to administration is reduced at about threemonths, at about four months, at about five months, at about six months,or at about twelve months.

In some embodiments, an osteoclast inhibitor, such as anitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid, ibandronicacid or minodronic acid, may be administered to relieve complex regionalpain syndrome, such as complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I),complex regional pain syndrome type II (CRPS-II), CRPS-NOS, or anothertype of CRPS.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may beadministered orally to relieve complex regional pain syndrome, such ascomplex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I), complex regional painsyndrome type II (CRPS-II), CRPS-NOS, or another type of CRPS. CRPS is atype of inflammatory pain. CRPS can also have a neuropathic component.

Complex regional pain syndrome is a debilitating pain syndrome. It ischaracterized by severe pain in a limb that can be accompanied by edema,and autonomic, motor and sensory changes.

In some embodiments, an osteoclast inhibitor, such as anitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid or minodronicacid, may be used to reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatorydrug (NSAIDs), opioids, or other pain medications, for a patientsuffering from pain, inflammation, a similar condition, or any conditiondescribed herein. For example, use of NSAIDs, opioids, or other painmedications may be reduced by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, atleast about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, atleast about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about80%, or at least about 90%, up to about 100%, as compared to the use ofNSAIDs, opioids or other pain medications without administration of theosteoclast inhibitor. Use of the opioids, NSAIDs, or other painmedications may be reduced by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, atleast about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, atleast about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about80%, or at least about 90%, up to about 100%, as compared to the use ofNSAIDS, opioids, or other pain medications at baseline.

The reduction in the use of NSAIDs, opioids, or other pain medicationsmay be observed at about one week, about two weeks, about three weeks,about one month, about two months, about three months, about fourmonths, about five months, about six months, about seven months, abouteight months, about nine months, about 10 months, about 11 months, orabout one year or more, after the administration of osteoclastinhibitor.

With respect to use of oral zoledronic acid in a disodium salt form orin an acid form for relieving pain associated with an inflammatorycondition or Paget's disease of bone, relief of pain can be short-term,e.g. for a period of hours after administration of the dosage form,and/or relief of pain can be long-term, e.g. lasting for days, weeks, oreven months after oral administration of zoledronic acid. In someembodiments, a mammal, such as a human being, experiences significantpain relief at least about 3 hours, at least about 6 hours, at leastabout 12 hours, at least about 24 hours, at least about 48 hours, atleast about one week, at least about 2 weeks, or at least about 3 weeksafter administration of an oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid.In some embodiments, a mammal, such as a human being, experiencessignificant pain relief during at least part of the time from about 3hours to about 2 weeks, about 3 hours to about 3 weeks, about 3 hours toabout 24 hours, about 6 hours to about 2 weeks, or about 6 hours toabout 24 hours, about 3 days to about 2 weeks, about 6 days to about 2weeks, after administration of an oral dosage form comprising zoledronicacid. In some embodiments, a human being treated has significant painrelief at one month, three months, six months, nine months, one year, 5years, or longer, after administration of the most recent dose of anosteoclast inhibitor such as zoledronic acid.

With respect to the treatment of any condition recited herein, in someembodiments a first oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid isadministered and a second oral dosage form comprising oral zoledronicacid is administered. The timing of the administration of the two dosageforms may be such that, with respect to the first oral dosage form, thesecond oral dosage with respect to the first oral dosage form, thesecond oral dosage form is administered at 5×T_(max) or greater (e.g.,if T_(max) is 1 hour, at 5 hours or later), at least 10×T_(max) orgreater, at least about 15×T_(max) or greater, at least about 20×T_(max)or greater, at least about 50×T_(max) or greater, or at least about200×T_(max) or greater, wherein T_(max) is the time of maximum plasmaconcentration for the first oral dosage form.

Some embodiments include treatment of a condition recited herein, suchas inflammatory pain, arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome,wherein the treatment comprises either: administering only one dosageform to a mammal to treat the condition, or administering a first dosageform to the mammal, followed by administering a second dosage form tothe mammal. If two or more dosage forms are administered, the secondoral dosage form is administered before the maximum pain relievingeffect of the first oral dosage form is achieved, or before a peak inthe pain relieving effect of the first oral dosage form is experiencedby a mammal, receiving the dosage form. In some embodiments, the secondoral dosage form is administered before an observable pain relievingeffect is achieved. In some embodiments, the second dosage form isadministered about 12 hours to about 60 days, about 24 hours to about 28days, about 24 hours to about 7 days, about 24 hours to about 14 days,or about 24 hours to about 21 days, after the first dosage form isadministered.

Some embodiments include treatment of a condition recited herein, suchas inflammatory pain, arthritis, or complex regional pain syndrome,wherein the treatment comprises administering a first dosage form to themammal, followed by administering a second dosage form to the mammal,wherein the second dosage form is administered after the maximum painrelieving effect of the first oral dosage form is achieved, and thesecond oral dosage form is administered while the mammal is stillexperiencing pain relief from the first oral dosage form, or while thepain relieving effect from the first oral dosage form is observable. Insome embodiments, the second dosage form is administered about 12 hoursto about 60 days, about 24 hours to about 28 days, about 24 hours toabout 7 days, about 24 hours to about 14 days, or about 24 hours toabout 21 days, after the first dosage form is administered.

Zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may also be administeredorally to relieve cancer-related pain, including pain associated withmultiple myeloma and bone metastases from solid tumors. In someembodiments, zoledronic acid is used to treat pain that is notcancer-related pain. For example, zoledronic acid may be used to treatpain that is not associated with multiple myeloma, bone metastasis fromsolid tumors, hypercalcemia of malignancy, giant cell tumor of bone,blood cancers or leukemias, or solid tumors or cancers. In someembodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronic acid may beachieved in treating one of these conditions by administering a dosageform comprising zoledronic acid in the form of a disodium salt. This mayallow a reduced molar amount of the disodium salt to be used as comparedto what would be used with the diacid form.

In addition to relieving pain, oral administration of zoledronic acid oranother bisphosphonate may also be useful to treat diseases orconditions that may or may not include a pain component. For example,zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may be useful to treat any ofthe pain conditions or types of conditions listed above, includingtreatment that does not simply relieve the pain of those conditions, andtreatment that is carried out in such a way that the condition istreated without pain relief occurring. In addition to any pain reliefzoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may or may not provide,zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may be used to treat a diseaseor condition such as a metabolic disease or condition; an inflammatorydisease or condition, including an inflammatory disease or conditionthat is not associated with pain; a cancer disease or condition; aneurological disease or condition; etc. In some embodiments, enhancedbioavailability of the zoledronic acid may be achieved in treating oneof these conditions by administering a dosage form comprising zoledronicacid in the form of a disodium salt. This may allow a reduced molaramount of the disodium salt to be used as compared to what would be usedwith the diacid form.

In some embodiments, oral administration of zoledronic acid or anotherbisphosphonate may also be useful to treat complex regional painsyndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, erosive osteoarthritis,axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis, acutevertebral crush fracture, fibrous dysplasia, SAPHO syndrome,osteoporosis, transient osteoporosis, or transient osteoporosis of thehip. In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of the zoledronicacid may be achieved in treating one of these conditions byadministering a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the form of adisodium salt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of the disodiumsalt to be used as compared to what would be used with the diacid form.

In some embodiments, oral administration of zoledronic acid or anotherbisphosphonate may also be useful to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy,multiple myeloma, bone metastases from solid tumors, Paget's disease ofbone, giant cell tumor of bone, blood cancers or leukemias, or solidtumors or cancers. In some embodiments, enhanced bioavailability of thezoledronic acid may be achieved in treating one of these conditions byadministering a dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the form of adisodium salt. This may allow a reduced molar amount of the disodiumsalt to be used as compared to what would be used with the diacid form.

Some nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates may be represented by FormulaA:

With respect to Formula A, R¹ is F, Cl, Br, H, or OH. In someembodiments, R¹ is OH.

With respect to Formula A, R² is aminoalkyl, such as aminoethyl,aminopropyl, aminopentyl, dimethylaminoethyl, methylpentylaminoethyl,etc; or optionally substituted heterocyclyl alkyl, such as optionallysubstituted imidazolylmethyl, optionally substituted pyridinymethyl,etc. In some embodiments R² is optionally substituted imidazolylalkyl.

Unless otherwise indicated, when a compound or chemical structuralfeature such as heterocyclyl alkyl is referred to as being “optionallysubstituted,” it includes a feature that has no substituents (i.e.unsubstituted), or a feature that is substituted, meaning that thefeature has one or more substituents. The term “substituent” has thebroadest meaning known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and includesa moiety that replaces one or more hydrogen atoms in a parent compoundor structural feature. The term “replaces” is merely used herein forconvenience, and does not require that the compound be formed byreplacing one atom with another. In some embodiments, a substituent maybe any ordinary organic moiety known in the art, which may have amolecular weight (e.g. the sum of the atomic masses of the atoms of thesubstituent) of 15 g/mol to 50 g/mol, 15 g/mol to 100 g/mol, 15 g/mol to150 g/mol, 15 g/mol to 200 g/mol, 15 g/mol to 300 g/mol, or 15 g/mol to500 g/mol. In some embodiments, a substituent comprises, or consists of:0-30, 0-20, 0-10, or 0-5 carbon atoms; and 0-30, 0-20, 0-10, or 0-5heteroatoms, wherein each heteroatom may independently be: N, O, P, S,Si, F, Cl, Br, or I; provided that the substituent includes one C, N, O,P, S, Si, F, Cl, Br, or 1 atom. In some embodiments, substituents canindependently have a molecular weight of about 15 Da to about 600 Da andcan consist of 2 to 5 chemical elements, wherein the chemical elementsare independently C, H, O, N, P, S, Si, F, Cl, or Br. In someembodiments, a substituent is optionally substituted alkyl, —O-alkyl(e.g. —OCH₃, —OC₂H5, —OC₃H₇, —OC₄H₉, etc.), —S-alkyl (e.g. —SCH₃,—SC₂H₅, —SC₃H₇, —SC₄H₉, etc.), —NR′R″, —OH, —SH, —CN, —CF₃, —NO₂,perfluoroalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, optionally substituted amine or a halogen, wherein R′ and R″are independently H or optionally substituted alkyl. Wherever asubstituent is described as “optionally substituted,” that substituentcan be substituted with the above substituents.

For convenience, the term “molecular weight” is used with respect to amoiety or part of a molecule to indicate the sum of the atomic masses ofthe atoms in the moiety or part of a molecule, even though it may not bea complete molecule.

Examples of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates include but are notlimited to pamidronic acid, incadronic acid, ibandronic acid, risedronicacid, minodronic acid, cimadronic acid, neridronic acid, alendronicacid, olpadronic acid, zoledronic acid, etc.

Zoledronic acid has the structure shown below, and is also referred toas zoledronate.

Unless otherwise indicated, any reference to a compound herein, such aszoledronic acid, by structure, name, or any other means, includespharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as the disodium salt; alternatesolid forms, such as polymorphs, solvates, hydrates, etc.; tautomers; orany other chemical species that may rapidly convert to a compounddescribed herein under conditions in which the compounds are used asdescribed herein. Unless otherwise indicated, a phrase such as“administering a bisphosphonate,” “administering an osteoclastinhibitor,” “administering zoledronic acid,” includes administering anyform of the bisphosphonate, osteoclast inhibitor, zoledronic acid, etc.,such as those recited above.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is administered in a dosage formcomprising a salt form, such as a salt of a dianion of zoledronic acid.In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is administered in a dosage formcomprising a disodium salt form of zoledronic acid. In some embodiments,zoledronic acid is administered in a sodium salt form, such as amonosodium salt, a disodium salt, a trisodium salt, etc. In somecircumstances, use of the disodium salt may be desirable. For example,the disodium salt is much more soluble in water than the diacid form. Asa result, in some processes, the disodium salt can be easier to workwith than the diacid form. Additionally, the sodium salt may be morebioavailable and/or more rapidly absorbed when taken orally as comparedto the diacid form.

In some embodiments, a RANK/RANKL antagonists or an osteoclastinhibitor, such as zoledronic acid or neridronic acid may be in the formof a molecular complex. For example, molecular complexes of zoledronicacid include cocrystals, salts, solvates such as hydrates and mixedsolvates of an acid or a salt form, and mixtures containing suchmaterials. Molecular complexes of zoledronic acid may be in amorphousforms or polymorphs.

Of particular interest are compositions, or complexes comprisingzoledronic acid or neridronic acid and the standard amino acids ornatural existing amino acids, such as alanine, arginine, asparagine,aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine,isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine,threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, etc. Some examples of usefulmolecular complexes include, but are not limited to, complexes ofzoledronic acid or neridronic acid with sodium cation, ammonium,ammonia, L-lysine, DL-lysine, nicotinamide, adenine, glycine, andSelenocysteine.

Zoledronic acid may also be in a form represented by one of thestructural depictions below.

Zoledronic acid in a salt or an acid form may be present in a molecularcomplex having strong X-ray powder diffraction peaks in one of thefollowing positions:

strong X-ray powder diffraction Form peaks (°2θ ± 0.2) zoledronic acid,sodium about 8.1, about 13.3, about 21.5, zoledronate and water complexabout 24.6, and about 25.6 ammonium zoledronate salt and about 11.0,about 14.6, about 15.4, water complex about 19.9, and about 29.4zoledronic acid, L-lysine, and about 9.0, about 14.4, about 18.1, watercomplex about 26.0, and about 29.6 zoledronic acid, DL-lysine, and about9.1, about 14.7, about 18.0, water complex about 21.2, and about 26.0zoledronic acid, DL-lysine, about 8.8, about 9.7, about 17.6, ethanol,and water complex about 23.1, and about 26.5 zoledronic acid,nicotinamide, 13.1, about 15.2, about 21.0, about and water complex23.9, and about 26.5 zoledronic acid, adenine, and about 13.6, about15.9, about 19.7, water complex about 27.9, and about 29.5 zoledronicacid and glycine about 10.2, about 17.8, about 19.9, complex about 22.9,and about 28.1 zoledronic acid diammonia, and about 12.2, about 13.0,about 14.1, water complex about 17.1, and about 19.3 zoledronic acid,DL-lysine, and about 8.3, about 11.8, about 12.3, water complex about15.8, and about 20.8 zoledronic acid, L-lysine, and about 9.6, about10.7, about 14.3, water complex about 21.4, and about 23.5 zoledronicacid, DL-lysine, and about 9.7, about 10.8, about 14.4, water complexabout 18.9, and about 21.4 zoledronic acid, DL-lysine 7.2, about 14.0,about 18.3, about complex 19.1, about 20.7, about 24.6, and about 34.4zoledronic acid, DL-lysine 6.6, about 11.0, about 14.2, about complex18.3, about 19.7, about 22.7, and about 27.6

Solid forms of zoledronic acid such as complexes of zoledronic acid withsodium, ammonium, ammonia, L-lysine, DL-lysine, nicotinamide, adenineand glycine may be prepared by methods such as dry or solvent-dropgrinding (liquid assisted grinding), heating or solvent evaporation oftheir solution in single or mixed solvent systems, slurry suspension,supercritical fluids or other techniques known to a person skilled inthe art.

For example, zoledronic acid and nicotinamide may be complexed bydissolving both compounds in water:ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v) and allowingthe solvents in the mixture to evaporate to form crystalline material.

In some embodiments, a zoledronic acid complex may have an excess atleast one coformer (e.g. the component other than zoledronic acid) tothe zoledronic acid complexes, which may be the same as the coformer inthe complex, a different coformer, or a mixture thereof. In someembodiments, the excess coformer may be a standard or natural aminoacid. Examples of compounds in salt forms containing Ion 1 are shownbelow:

wherein X⁻ is any suitable anion, e.g. F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, acetate,etc.; and M⁺ is any suitable cation, e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, etc. Manyother salt forms are also possible.

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 1 may be furtherrepresented by a formula,

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 1 may be in a hydrateform.

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 1 is administered in adosage form comprising a salt form, such as a zwitterionic form, or asalt of a cation, a monoanion, a dianion, a trianion, etc.

A compound containing Ion 1 can be present in any amount, such as lessthan about 100% w/w, less than about 50% w/w, less than about 20% w/w,less than about 10% w/w, less than about 1% w/w, less than 0.1% w/w,less than about 0.07% w/w, less than about 0.05% w/w, less than about0.04% w/w, less than about 0.03% w/w, less than about 0.02% w/w; and/orgreater than 0% w/w, at least about 0.00000001% w/w, at least about0.000001% w/w, or at least about 0.00001% w/w, based upon the totalamount of zoledronic acid, a compound containing Ion 1, and a compoundcontaining Ion 2 present in the composition.

Examples of salts of compounds containing Ion 2 are shown below:

wherein X⁻ is any suitable anion, e.g. F⁻, Br⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻, OH⁻, acetate,etc.; and M⁺ is any suitable cation, e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄ ⁺, etc. Manyother salt forms are also possible.

In some embodiments, a salt of a compound containing Ion 2 may befurther represented by a formula,

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 2 may be in a hydrateform.

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 2 is administered in adosage form comprising a salt form, such as a zwitterionic form, or asalt of a cation, a monoanion, a dianion, a trianion, etc.

A compound containing Ion 2 can be present in any amount, such as lessthan about 100% w/w, less than about 50% w/w, less than about 20% w/w,less than about 10% w/w, less than about 1% w/w, less than about 0.3%,less than about 0.2%, less than 0.1% w/w, less than about 0.08% w/w,less than about 0.07% w/w, less than about 0.05% w/w, less than about0.04% w/w, less than about 0.03% w/w, less than about 0.02% w/w; and/orgreater than 0% w/w, at least about 0.00000001% w/w, at least about0.000001% w/w, or at least about 0.00001% w/w, based upon the totalamount of zoledronic acid, a compound containing Ion 1, and a compoundcontaining Ion 2 present in the composition.

In some embodiments, a compound containing Ion 1 and a compoundcontaining Ion 2 are present in an amount that is less than 0.1% w/w.

In some embodiments, the administration of an osteoclast inhibitor, suchas a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, including, e.g. zoledronicacid, minodronic acid, etc., to a patient or mammal in need thereofaffects Modic changes (MCs). For example, any of the above compoundscould be used to treat Modic changes, or vertebral endplate signalchanges (VESC) and bone marrow changes visible using magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI), or neck pain or back pain associated with Modic changes.

Modic changes, as used herein, includes its ordinary meaning in the artand refers to pathological vertebral endplate and bone marrow changesvisible using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Modic changes may alsobe referred to as vertebral endplate signal changes (VESC). Modicchanges, can be classified into various types including type 1 (M1),type 2 (M2), and type 3 (M3) lesions or changes, any of which may betreated using an osteoclast inhibitor, such as anitrogen-bisphosphonate, including, e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronicacid, etc. Different types of Modic changes may occur in the samepatient, for example type 1 and type 2 Modic changes (M1/2). In somecases, M1 changes are related to lower back pain than other types ofModic change.

VESCs may be found in patients with different types of low back painincluding but not limited to spondylitis, trauma, spondyloarthropathiesincluding ankylosing spondylitis, Schmorl's nodes, fracture, tumor, andspinal cord infarction. Lesions in ankylosing spondylitis includeosteitis and spondylodiscitis, which can be detected using MRI oranother medical imaging instrument.

Modic changes may be found in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacralspine. Modic changes may be found at various spinal levels such as atC1/2, C2/3, C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, C6/7, C7/T1, T1/2, T2/3, T3/4, T4/5, T5/6,T6/7, T7/8, T8/9, T9/10, T10/11, T11/12, T12/L1, L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5,L5/S1, etc., any of which may be treated using an osteoclast inhibitor,such as a nitrogen-bisphosphonate, including, e.g. zoledronic acid,minodronic acid, etc.

In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at L2/3.In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at L3/4.In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at L4/5.In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at L5/S1.

In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at C3/4.In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located in atC4/5. In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located inat C5/6. In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is locatedin at C6/7.

In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located at T5/6.In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located in atT6/7. In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is located inat T7/8. In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated is locatedin at T8/9. In some embodiments, the Modic change being treated islocated at T9/10.

In some embodiments, the patient being treated has predominantly M1. Insome embodiments, the patient being treated has predominantly M1/M2. Insome embodiments, the patient being treated has predominantly M2. Insome embodiments, the patient being treated has predominantly M3.

In some embodiments, the worst type of lesion that the patient beingtreated has is M1. In some embodiments, the worst type of lesion thatthe patient being treated has is M1/2. In some embodiments, the worsttype of lesion that the patient being treated has is M2.

In some embodiments, the patient being treated has Modic changes at moretwo or more levels. In some embodiments the patient being treated hasModic changes at three or more levels. In some embodiments greater painrelief is obtained when treating a patient with Modic changes at twolevels, or three or more levels, than is obtained when treating apatient with Modic changes at a single level or at two levels.

In some embodiments greater pain relief is obtained when treating apatient with Modic changes at two levels than is obtained when treatinga patient with Modic changes at a single level.

In some embodiments greater pain relief is obtained when treating apatient with Modic changes at three or more levels than is obtained whentreating a patient with Modic changes at a single level.

In some embodiments greater pain relief is obtained when treating apatient with Modic changes three or more levels than is obtained whentreating a patient with Modic changes at two levels.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor of osteoclast activity may be used toeffect a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in thepatient with low back pain or any other type of pain or conditionrecited herein. In some embodiments greater pain relief may be obtainedin patients with greater baseline levels of pro-inflammatory cytokineswhen treated with an inhibitor of osteoclast activity, such as anitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, including e.g. zoledronic acid,minodronic acid, etc. In some embodiments, greater pain relief may beobtained in patients who experience a reduction or a greater reductionin the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines when treated with aninhibitor of osteoclast activity, such as a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate, including e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, etc.Pro-inflammatory cytokines include but are not limited to IL-1, IL-2,IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-alpha),interferon gamma, etc.

In some embodiments, the use of an inhibitor of osteoclast activity,such as a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, including e.g. zoledronicacid, minodronic acid, etc., to a patient or mammal in need thereof,achieves a reduction relative to baseline in the size of Modic changesor VESCs of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%,at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at leastabout 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70% atleast about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%. In some embodiments,the reduction the size of Modic changes or VESCs represents animprovement relative to placebo of at least about 10%, at least about15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, atleast about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, atleast about 120%, at least about 150%, at least about 170%, at leastabout 200%, at least about 250%, at least about 300%, at least about350%, at least about 400%, or at least about 450%. In some embodiments,the use of an inhibitor of osteoclast activity inhibits an increase inthe size of Modic changes or VESCs over time.

The oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid may be enhanced by orallyadministering the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form. Forexample, the bioavailability of zoledronic acid may be improved by atleast about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about50%, and/or up to about 100%, or up to about 200%, as compared toadministration of zoledronic acid in the diacid form.

Because of the improved bioavailability of the disodium salt a dosageform may contain, or a mammal, such as a human being, may receive, on amolar basis, less of the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid thanwould otherwise be administered of the diacid form of zoledronic acid.For example, a dosage form may contain, or a mammal may receive, atleast about 10 mole % less, at least about 20 mole % less, at leastabout 40 mole % less, at least about 50 mole % less, and/or up to about90 mole % less or 95 mole % less, of the disodium salt form as comparedthe amount of the diacid form of zoledronic acid that would otherwise beadministered, such as a molar amount that would be administered ofzoledronic acid in the diacid form in order to achieve the same plasmalevels of zoledronic acid.

In some embodiments, a dosage form contains, or a mammal (such as ahuman being) is administered, an amount of the disodium salt form, on amolar basis, that has a value of about 0.8n_(d) to about 1.2n_(d) orabout 0.9n_(d) to about 1.1n_(d), wherein:n _(d)=(b _(a) /b _(d))(n _(a))wherein b_(a) is the bioavailability of the diacid form, b_(d) is thebioavailability of the disodium salt form, and n_(a) is the number ofmoles of the diacid that would be administered in a dosage formcontaining the diacid form of zoledronic acid. For example, if thediacid form has a bioavailability (b_(a)) of 0.01 and the disodium saltform has a bioavailability (b_(d)) of 0.015, and a dosage form wouldnormally contain 0.001 moles of the diacid, n_(d) would be(0.01/0.015)(0.001 moles), or about 0.00067 moles. In some embodiments,the disodium salt is administered in an amount that has a value of aboutn_(d).

With respect to oral dosage forms comprising a reduced molar amount ofthe disodium salt of zoledronic acid as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, in some embodiments, the bioavailability of thezoledronic acid in the disodium salt form is sufficiently high that, ifthe drug is administered to a mammal, at least as much zoledronic acidis present in the blood of the mammal as would be present if zoledronicacid were administered in the diacid form.

With respect to oral dosage forms comprising the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid, in some embodiments, the disodium salt form is presentin a lower molar amount than would be present if the zoledronic acidwere in the diacid form; and the zoledronic acid in the disodium saltform has an improved bioavailability as compared to the zoledronic acidin the diacid form to the extent that the lower molar amount of thedisodium salt in the dosage form does not reduce the amount ofzoledronic acid delivered to the plasma of a mammal.

Some oral dosage forms comprising zoledronic acid have a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal, e.g. dog, rat, human, etc. Such a dosage form may havezoledronic acid present in an amount that results in a desired range foran area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) of zoledronic acid inthat particular species of mammal. For example the dose of zoledronicacid and a configuration of the oral dosage form may result in an AUC ofzoledronic acid of about 1 ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL, about 3 ng·h/mLto about 30 ng·h/mL, about 3 ng·h/mL to about 10 ng·h/mL, about 50ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL to about 180 ng·h/mL,about 300 ng·h/mL to about 450 ng·h/mL, about 300 ng·h/mL to about 350ng·h/mL, about 300 ng·h/mL to about 310 ng·h/mL, about 340 ng·h/mL toabout 350 ng·h/mL, about 370 ng·h/mL to about 420 ng·h/mL, about 380ng·h/mL to about 390 ng·h/mL, about 405 ng·h/mL to about 415 ng·h/mL,about 140 ng·h/mL to about 160 ng·h/mL, about 140 ng·h/mL to about 150ng·h/mL, about 150 ng·h/mL to about 160 ng·h/mL, about 140 ng·h/mL, 142ng·h/mL, about 155 ng·h/mL, about 305 ng·h/mL, 304 ng·h/mL, about 345ng·h/mL, 343 ng·h/mL, about 385 ng·h/mL, 384 ng·h/mL, about 410 ng·h/mL,or any AUC in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values, uponadministration of the oral dosage form to a mammal.

Unless otherwise indicated, the AUC refers to the AUC calculated to thelast measured concentration (AUC_((0-t))) and extrapolated to infinity(AUC_((0-inf))).

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may have zoledronic acid present in an amount that results in aC_(max) of zoledronic acid of about 0.2 ng/mL to about 300 ng/mL, about0.5 ng/mL to about 5 ng/mL, about 5 ng/mL to about 300 ng/mL, about 5ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL, about 20 ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL, about 30ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL, about 50 ng/mL to about 200 ng/mL, about 50ng/mL to about 150 ng/mL, about 80 ng/mL to about 120 ng/mL, about 90ng/mL to about 100 ng/mL, about 50 ng/mL to about 200 ng/mL, about 40ng/mL, about 95 ng/mL, about 97 ng/mL, or any C_(max) in a range boundedby, or between, any of these values, upon administration of the oraldosage form to a mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that administration of the oral dosage formto the particular species of mammal results in a T_(max) of zoledronicacid of about 0.4 hr to about 1 hr, about 0.5 hr, or about 0.75 hr, orany T_(max) in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form ispresent in an amount such that the oral dosage form provides an areaunder the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 4ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL to the mammal each time the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt is administered.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid, including zoledronic acid inan acid or a salt form, e.g the disodium salt form, is present in anamount such that the oral dosage form provides an area under the plasmaconcentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 100 ng·h/mL to about2000 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 1000 ng·h/mL, about 500 ng·h/mLto about 1000 ng·h/mL, or about 500 ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL in themammal to which the dosage form is administered. This amount may besuitable for administration of the oral dosage form about every 3 to 4weeks.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid, such as zoledronic acid in anacid form or a salt form, such as the disodium salt form, is present inan amount such that the oral dosage form provides an area under theplasma concentration curve (AUC) of zoledronic acid of about 20 ng·h/mLto about 700 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about 50ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL,about 50 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 100ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL to about 150 ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL toabout 140 ng·h/mL, about 150 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, about 200ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, about 250 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL,about 300 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 400 ng·h/mL to about 500ng·h/mL, about 350 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 450 ng·h/mL toabout 500 ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL to about 160 ng·h/mL, about 405ng·h/mL to about 450 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL,about 100 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 300ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL toabout 500 ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 125ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, orabout 200 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, in the mammal to which thedosage form is administered. This amount may be suitable for weeklyadministration of the oral dosage, or for administration of 3 to 5individual dosages during a month. The individual dosages could be givenat regular intervals, given during the first week, or at any otherschedule that provides 3 to 5 dosages during the month.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid is present in an amount suchthat the oral dosage form provides an area under the plasmaconcentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 4 ng·h/mL to about 100ng·h/mL, about 10 ng·h/mL to about 50 ng·h/mL, about 10 ng·h/mL to about30 ng·h/mL, 20 ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about500 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL toabout 300 ng·h/mL, about 50 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, about 100ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL,about 100 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 200ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL toabout 400 ng·h/mL, about 125 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, about 125ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, or about 200 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mLin the mammal to which the dosage form is administered. This amount maybe suitable for daily administration of the oral dosage form. In someembodiments, the dosage form may be administered for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, or 10, 5 to 10, or 6 to 10 consecutive days.

In some embodiments, the zoledronic acid, such as zoledronic acid in anacid form or a salt form, such as the disodium salt form, is present inan amount such that the oral administration of the dosage form in afasted state results in an area under the plasma concentration curve(AUC) of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about50 ng·h/mL to about 100 ng·h/mL, about 100 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL,about 130 ng·h/mL to about 180 ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL to about 150ng·h/mL, about 130 ng·h/mL to about 140 ng·h/mL, about 140 ng·h/mL toabout 150 ng·h/mL, about 150 ng·h/mL to about 200 ng·h/mL, about 200ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL, about 250 ng·h/mL to about 300 ng·h/mL,about 300 ng·h/mL to about 400 ng·h/mL, about 300 ng·h/mL to about 350ng·h/mL, about 400 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about 350 ng·h/mL toabout 400 ng·h/mL, about 450 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL, about 130ng·h/mL to about 160 ng·h/mL, about 405 ng·h/mL to about 450 ng·h/mL,measured over a 24 hour period.

In some embodiments, molecular complex comprising neridronic acid isadministered in an amount that results in an AUC of neridronic acid,measured over the entire course of treatment, of about 10,000-30,000ng·h/mL about 30,000-100,000 ng·h/mL about 30,000-50,000 ng·h/mL, about30,000-40,000 ng·h/mL, about 40,000-50,000 ng·h/mL, about 50,000-60,000ng·h/mL, about 60,000-70,000 ng·h/mL, about 50,000-70,000 ng·h/mL, about70,000-80,000 ng·h/mL, about 80,000-90,000 ng·h/mL, about 90,000-100,000ng·h/mL, about 70,000-100,000 ng·h/mL, about 100,000-200,0000 ng·h/mL,about 200,000-300,0000 ng·h/mL, about 300,000-400,0000 ng·h/mL, about400,000-500,0000 ng·h/mL, or any AUC in a range bounded by any of thesevalues.

In some embodiments, an osteoclast inhibitor, a bisphosphonate, or aRANK/RANKL antagonist, such as zoledronic acid, etc., is administered atan interval of about once, twice, or thrice daily, or every 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 days; or 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or21 days; or 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31 days; or 32, 33,34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45; or 46, 47, 48, 49,50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 days; or 61, 62, 63, 64,65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, or 90 days; or 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97,98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112,113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, or 120 days.

Oral administration of zoledronic acid, particularly oral administrationof the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid, can result in moresustained plasma levels of the drug as compared to parenteral modes ofadministration, such intravenous or subcutaneous. For example, theamount of zoledronic acid in the plasma can be significantly higher fororal administration of the disodium salt about 24 hours or 48 hours, orlonger, after administration. In some embodiments, oral zoledronic acidhas a 24 hour sustained plasma level factor of about 1 or higher, suchas about 1 to about 10, about 1 to about 5, about 3 to about 5, or about3 to about 4. In some embodiments, an orally administered dosage form ofzoledronic acid has a 24 hour sustained plasma level factor or a 48 hoursustained plasma level factor that is higher, such as at least 1.2times, at least about 2 times, at least about 5 times, about 1.2 timesto about 20 times, about 2 times to about 15 times, about 5 times toabout 10 times, or about 8 to about 15 times that of intravenouslyadministered zoledronic acid. A “sustained plasma level factor,” p_(f),is determined by the equation:p _(f)=1000(C _(t) /C _(max))wherein C_(max) is the maximum plasma concentration of zoledronic acidafter it is administered and C_(t) is the plasma concentration ofzoledronic acid at the time of interest, such as 24 hours. Forparenteral administration, the C_(max) can be about the C₀, or theconcentration right after injection of the entire amount of the druginto the body. Sustained plasma level factors can also be obtained forother times, such as 48 hours, by using the plasma concentration ofzoledronic acid for C_(t) in the equation above. For example, if themaximum plasma level of zoledronic acid after administration is 1000ng/mL and the plasma level of zoledronic acid at 24 hours is 1 ng/mL,the 24 hour sustained plasma level factor is 1.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the zoledronic acid has a 12 hoursustained plasma level factor of about 12 to about 50, about 20 to about40, about 25 to about 30, about 30 to about 35, about 35 to about 40,about 33, about 30, about 35, or any 12 hour sustained plasma levelfactor in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values, for theparticular species of mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the zoledronic acid has a 24 hoursustained plasma level factor of about 10 to about 30, about 10 to about20, about 10 to about 15, about 12 to about 15 or 16, about 15 to about20, about 14, about 12, about 15, or any 24 hour sustained plasma levelfactor in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values, for theparticular species of mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the zoledronic acid has a 36 hoursustained plasma level factor of about 6 to about 20, about 8 to about15, about 9 to about 12 or 13, about 8 to about 10, about 11 to about13, about 9, about 13, or any 24 hour sustained plasma level factor in arange bounded by, or between, any of these values, for the particularspecies of mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the zoledronic acid has a 48 hoursustained plasma level factor of about 5 to about 20, about 6 to about15, about 7 or 8 to about 12 or 13, about 8 to about 10, about 11 toabout 13, about 8, about 12, or any 48 hour sustained plasma levelfactor in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values, for theparticular species of mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the zoledronic acid has a 72 hoursustained plasma level factor of about 4 to about 20, about 5 to about10, about 5 or 6 to about 10 or 11, about 5 to about 6, about 9 to about10, about 6, about 10, or any 72 hour sustained plasma level factor in arange bounded by, or between, any of these values, for the particularspecies of mammal.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the particular species of mammal has aplasma concentration of zoledronic acid at 12 hours that is about 0.5ng/mL to about 5 ng/mL, about 1 ng/mL to about 3 ng/mL, about 1 ng/mL toabout 2 ng/mL, about 2 ng/mL to about 3 ng/mL, about 3 ng/mL to about 4ng/mL, about 1.2 ng/mL, about 2.6 ng/mL, about 3.2 ng/mL, or any plasmaconcentration in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the particular species of mammal has aplasma concentration of zoledronic acid at 24 hours that is about 0.2ng/mL to about 2 ng/mL, about 0.5 ng/mL to about 1.5 ng/mL, about 0.5ng/mL to about 1 ng/mL, about 1 ng/mL to about 1.5 ng/mL, about 0.5ng/mL, about 1.0 ng/mL, about 1.4 ng/mL, or any plasma concentration ina range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the particular species of mammal has aplasma concentration of zoledronic acid at 36 hours that is about 0.1ng/mL to about 2 ng/mL, about 0.2 ng/mL to about 1.5 ng/mL, about 0.2ng/mL to about 0.5 ng/mL, about 0.5 ng/mL to about 1 ng/mL, about 1ng/mL to about 1.3 ng/mL, about 0.3 ng/mL, about 0.8 ng/mL, about 1.1ng/mL, or any plasma concentration in a range bounded by, or between,any of these values.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the particular species of mammal has aplasma concentration of zoledronic acid at 48 hours that is about 0.1ng/mL to about 2 ng/mL, about 0.2 ng/mL to about 1.5 ng/mL, about 0.2ng/mL to about 0.5 ng/mL, about 0.5 ng/mL to about 0.9 ng/mL, about 0.9ng/mL to about 1.3 ng/mL, about 0.3 ng/mL, about 0.7 ng/mL, about 1.1ng/mL, or any plasma concentration in a range bounded by, or between,any of these values.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the particular species of mammal has aplasma concentration of zoledronic acid at 72 hours that is about 0.2ng/mL to about 1 ng/mL, about 0.2 ng/mL to about 1.5 ng/mL, about 0.1ng/mL to about 0.3 ng/mL, about 0.3 ng/mL to about 0.6 ng/mL, about 0.6ng/mL to about 1 ng/mL, about 0.2 ng/mL, about 0.5 ng/mL, about 0.9ng/mL, or any plasma concentration in a range bounded by, or between,any of these values.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid having a dose ofzoledronic acid and a configuration suitable for a particular species ofmammal may be configured so that the elimination half-life of zoledronicacid in the particular species of mammal is about 30 hours to about 100hours, about 40 hours to about 60 hours, about 40 hours to about 50hours, about 50 hours to about 60 hours, about 42 hours, about 51 hours,about 59 hours, or any half-life in a range bounded by, or between, anyof these values.

As used herein, the “elimination half-life” refers to the apparentfirst-order terminal plasma elimination half-life, obtained bynon-compartmental analysis using Win-Nonlin. A terminal plasmaelimination half-life is the time required to reduce the plasmaconcentration to half after reaching pseudo-equilibrium, and not thetime required to eliminate half the administered dose. For orallyadministered drugs, terminal plasma elimination half-life can beaffected by absorption of the drug, as well as plasma clearance andextent of distribution.

In some embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid providesan enhancement to bioavailability, as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, which adds to any enhancement to bioavailabilityprovided by any bioavailability-enhancing agents in the dosage form. Insome embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid provides anenhancement to bioavailability, as compared to the diacid form ofzoledronic acid, which is greater than any enhancement tobioavailability provided by any bioavailability-enhancing agents in thedosage form. In some embodiments, the disodium salt form of zoledronicacid may be administered in a dosage form that is substantially free ofbioavailability-enhancing agents.

The C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) is one of the products from type Icollagen degradation by osteoclasts during bone resorption. Thus, CTXserum levels may be used as a biomarker to indicate and monitor bonebreakdown, resorption, and loss. In some embodiments, zoledronic acidand other bisphosphonates may be used to inhibit osteoclast activityand/or lower CTX serum levels, for example, by at least about 5%, atleast about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, atleast about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about60%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, atleast about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about99%, at least about 100%, about 60%-70%, about 70%-80%, about 80%-90%,about 85-95%, about 80%-85%, about 85%-90%, about 90%-95%, or any otherreduction in osteoclast activity or CTX serum levels in a range boundedby, or between, any of these values.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid in a disodium salt or an acid formand other bisphosphonates including salt or acid form may be used totreat Paget's disease of Bone or treat pain associated with Paget'sdisease of bone and/or lower serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels.For example, the reduction of ALP levels by at least about 20%, at leastabout 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 80%,about 50-60%, about 60-80%, about 80-90%, about 90-95%, or any otherreduction in ALP levels in a range bounded by, or between, any of thesevalues from baseline, within 12 months, 18 months, or up to at least 5years from the time of the last oral administration of zoledronic acidor other bisphosphonates. In some embodiments, when zoledronic acid in adisodium salt or an acid form, or other bisphosphonate is administeredto treat the Paget's disease of bone or pain associated with the Paget'sdisease of bone, the Paget's disease or the pain associated with thePaget's disease has recurrence rate of less than 20%, less than 10%,less than 5%, less than 1%, or does not return within 12 months, 18months, or 5 years, or more, from the time of the last oraladministration of zoledronic acid, or other bisphosphonates.

In some embodiments, a dosage form comprising a disodium salt ofzoledronic acid is a solid.

In some embodiments, a dosage form comprising a disodium salt ofzoledronic acid is used to treat an inflammatory condition.

In some embodiments, a dosage form comprising a disodium salt ofzoledronic acid is used to treat arthritis.

In some embodiments, a dosage form comprising a disodium salt ofzoledronic acid is used to treat complex regional pain syndrome.

In some embodiments, zoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueoussolubility, meaning the solubility in water, greater than 1% (w/v),about 5% (w/v) to about 50% (w/v), about 5% (w/v) to about 20% (w/v),about 10% (w/v) to about 15% (w/v), or about 12% (w/v) to about 13%(w/v).

The disodium salt form of zoledronic acid can be more compressible thanthe diacid form of zoledronic acid. This can make it easier for a dosageform to have a desired hardness. It can also make it easier to increasethe drug load, so that a smaller tablet can be given for a given dosagestrength. In some embodiments, a solid dosage form of zoledronic acid,such as the diacid form of zoledronic acid or the disodium salt form ofzoledronic acid, can have a hardness of about 5 kPa to about 20 kPa orabout 5 kPa to about 14 kPa.

Zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may be combined with apharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route ofadministration and standard pharmaceutical practice as described, forexample, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2005, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. Therelative proportions of active ingredient and carrier may be determined,for example, by the solubility and chemical nature of the compounds,chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

Zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may be administered by anymeans that may result in the contact of the active agent(s) with thedesired site or site(s) of action in the body of a patient. Thecompounds may be administered by any conventional means available foruse in conjunction with pharmaceuticals, either as individualtherapeutic agents or in a combination of therapeutic agents. Forexample, they may be administered as the sole active agents in apharmaceutical composition, or they can be used in combination withother therapeutically active ingredients.

In some embodiments, an osteoclast inhibitor is co-administered with asteroid. Suitable steroids include, for example, hydrocortisone,hydrocortisone acetate, cortisone acetate, tixocortol pivalate,prednisolone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, triamcinolone acetonide,triamcinolone alcohol, mometasone, amcinonide, budesonide, desonide,fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, halcinonide, betamethasone,betamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasone, dexamethasone sodiumphosphate, fluocortolone, hydrocortisone-17-valerate, acleometasonedipropionate, betamethasone valerate, betamethasone dippropionate,prednicarbate, clobetasone-17-butyrate, clobetasol-17-propionate,fluocortilone caproate, fluocortolone pivalate, and fluprednideneacetate, hydrocortisone-17-butyrate, 17-aceponate, 17-buteprate, andprednicarbate.

Any effective dose of steroid can be administered to a person. In someembodiment, the dose of a steroid may be about 1-500 mg, 5-25 mg, about1-3 mg, about 2-4 mg, about 3-5 mg, about 4-6 mg, about 5-7 mg, about6-8 mg, about 7-9 mg, about 8-10 mg, about 10-15 mg, about 10-20 mg,about 20-50 mg, about 50-100 mg, about 100-200 mg, about 200-300 mg,about 300-400 mg, 400-500 mg 1-20 mg, about 10-30 mg, about 20-40 mg,about 30-50 mg, about 40-60 mg, about 50-70 mg, about 60-80 mg, about70-90 mg, about 80-100 mg, about 90-110 mg, about 100-120 mg, about110-130 mg, about 120-140 mg, about 130-150 mg, about 140-160 mg, about150-170 mg, about 160-180 mg, about 170-190 mg, about 180-200 mg, about190-210 mg, about 200-220 mg, about 210-230 mg, about 220-240 mg, about230-250 mg, about 240-260 mg, about 250-270 mg, about 260-280 mg, about270-290 mg, about 280-300 mg, about 290-310 mg, about 300-320 mg, about310-330 mg, about 320-340 mg, about 330-350 mg, about 340-360 mg, about350-370 mg, about 360-380 mg, about 370-390 mg, about 380-300 mg, about390-410 mg, about 400-420 mg, about 410-430 mg, about 420-440 mg, about430-450 mg, about 440-460 mg, about 450-470 mg, about 460-480 mg, about470-490 mg, about 480-300 mg, about 490-510 mg of the steroid, or anyamount in a range bounded by any of these values.

The steroid can be given orally (for example, 7.5 mg of prednisone), bya separate infusion (for example, 7.5 mg of methyl prednisolone), mixedin with zoledronic acid in the same infusion, or be administeredintramuscularly, subcutaneously, by rectal suppository, by inhalation,or injected directly into a joint.

Zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate may be administered to a humanpatient in a variety of forms adapted to the chosen route ofadministration, e.g., orally, rectally, or parenterally. Parenteraladministration in this respect includes, but is not limited to,administration by the following routes: pulmonary, intrathecal,intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraocular, intrasynovial,transepithelial including transdermal, sublingual and buccal; topically;nasal inhalation via insufflation; and rectal systemic.

The effective amount of zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate willvary depending on various factors known to the treating physicians, suchas the severity of the condition to be treated, route of administration,formulation and dosage forms, physical characteristics of thebisphosphonate compound used, and age, weight and response of theindividual patients.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of pamidronate is about 10 mgto about 1,000 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 100 mg to about500 mg, or about 150 mg to about 300 mg. In some embodiments, theparenteral dose of pamidronate is about 5 mg to about 500 mg, about 5 mgto about 200 mg, or about 10 mg to about 150 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of neridronate is about 10 mgto about 1,000 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 100 mg to about500 mg, or about 150 mg to about 300 mg. In some embodiments, theparenteral dose of neridronate is about 5 mg to about 500 mg, about 5 mgto about 200 mg, or about 10 mg to about 150 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of alendronate is about 0.5 mgto about 200 mg, about 1 mg to about 100 mg, about 5 mg to about 100 mg,or about 2 mg to about 50 mg. In some embodiments, the parenteral doseof alendronate is about 1 mg to about 100 mg, about 1 mg to about 40 mg,or about 2 mg to about 30 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of olpadronate is about 0.5 mgto about 200 mg, about 1 mg to about 100 mg, about 5 mg to about 100 mg,or about 2 mg to about 50 mg. In some embodiments, the parenteral doseof olpadronate is about 1 mg to about 100 mg, about 1 mg to about 40 mg,or about 2 mg to about 30 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of ibandronate is about 0.25 mgto about 100 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, about 2.5 mg to about 50mg, or about 1 mg to about 25 mg. In some embodiments, the parenteraldose of ibandronate is about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, about 0.5 mg toabout 20 mg, or about 1 mg to about 15 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of risedronate is about 0.25 mgto about 100 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, about 2.5 mg to about 50mg, or about 1 mg to about 25 mg. In some embodiments, the parenteraldose of risedronate is about 0.25 mg to about 25 mg, about 0.25 mg toabout 10 mg, or about 0.5 mg to about 7.5 mg.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of zoledronate is about 0.005mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 10mg, or about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg. In some embodiments, the parenteraldose of zoledronate is about 0.25 mg to about 25 mg, about 0.25 mg toabout 10 mg, or about 0.5 mg to about 7.5 mg.

The dose of pamidronate, neridronate, olpadronate, alendronate,ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronate or another bisphosphonate compoundmay be administered in a single or divided dose.

The amount of zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonate in a therapeuticcomposition may vary. For example, some liquid compositions may compriseabout 0.0001% (w/v) to about 50% (w/v), about 0.01% (w/v) to about 20%(w/v), about 0.01% to about 10% (w/v), about 0.001% (w/v) to about 1%(w/v), about 0.1% (w/v) to about 0.5% (w/v), about 1% (w/v) to about 3%(w/v), about 3% (w/v) to about 5% (w/v), about 5% (w/v) to about 7%(w/v), about 7% (w/v) to about 10% (w/v), about 10% (w/v) to about 15%(w/v), about 15% (w/v) to about 20% (w/v), about 20% (w/v) to about 30%(w/v), about 30% (w/v) to about 40% (w/v), or about 40% (w/v) to about50% (w/v) of zoledronic acid.

Some solid compositions may comprise at least about 5% (w/w), at leastabout 10% (w/w), at least about 20% (w/w), at least about 50% (w/w), atleast about 70% (w/w), at least about 80%, about 10% (w/w) to about 30%(w/w), about 10% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), about 20% (w/w) to about 30%(w/w), about 30% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w), about 30% (w/w) to about 40%(w/w), about 40% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w), about 50% (w/w) to about 80%(w/w), about 50% (w/w) to about 60% (w/w), about 70% (w/w) to about 75%(w/w), about 70% (w/w) to about 80% (w/w), or about 80% (w/w) to about90% (w/w) of zoledronic acid.

Any suitable amount of an osteoclast inhibitor, including abisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, e.g.zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronic acid, may be used. Somesolid or liquid oral dosage forms, or units of oral dosage forms(referred to collectively herein as “oral dosage form(s)”) may containabout 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.5 mgto about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg,about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about 10 mg to about 250 mg, about 100 mg toabout 300 mg, about 20 mg to about 200 mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg,about 30 mg to about 100 mg, about 50 mg to about 200 mg, about 1 mg toabout 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 40 mg to about 60 mg,about 50 mg to about 60 mg, about 55 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg,about 10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 40 mg toabout 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 600 mg,about 40 mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about 800 mg, about 25 mgto about 800 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg, about 10 mg to about 500mg, about 50 mg to about 150 mg, about 50 mg, about 100 mg, about 50 mgto about 500 mg, about 150 mg to about 200 mg, about 100 mg to about2000 mg, about 300 mg to about 1500 mg, about 200 mg to about 1000 mg,about 100 mg to about 500 mg, about 160 mg, or about 150 mg ofzoledronic acid in an acid form or in a salt form such as disodium saltform, or any amount of osteoclast inhibitor in a range bounded by, orbetween, any of these values. In some embodiments, the oral osteoclastinhibitor is administered daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, every two orthree months, once a year, or twice a year.

Some oral dosage forms may contain about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about0.1 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg toabout 5 mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg, about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about10 mg to about 250 mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 20 mg toabout 200 mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg, about 30 mg to about 100 mg,about 1 mg to about 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 40 mg toabout 60 mg, about 50 mg to about 60 mg, about 55 mg, about 10 mg toabout 300 mg, about 10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg,about 40 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg toabout 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about 800 mg,about 25 mg to about 800 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg, about 10 mg toabout 500 mg, about 50 mg to about 150 mg, about 50 mg, about 100 mg,about 50 mg to about 200 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 150 mgto about 200 mg, about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, about 300 mg to about1500 mg, about 200 mg to about 1000 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg,about 160 mg, or about 150 mg of osteoclast inhibitor, or any amount ofosteoclast inhibitor in a range bounded by, or between, any of thesevalues. In some embodiments, the oral osteoclast inhibitor isadministered daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, every two or threemonths, once a year, or twice a year.

Any suitable amount of an osteoclast inhibitor, including abisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, e.g.zoledronic acid, neridronate (neridronic acid), pamidronate,olpadronate, alendronate, risedronate, minodronic acid, or ibandronicacid, may be used. Some solid or liquid dosage forms, or units of dosageforms may contain about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about10 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, about 1mg to about 500 mg, about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about 10 mg to about 250mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 20 mg to about 200 mg, about 20mg to about 150 mg, about 30 mg to about 100 mg, about 50 mg to about200 mg, about 1 mg to about 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about40 mg to about 60 mg, about 50 mg to about 60 mg, about 55 mg, about 10mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about100 mg, about 40 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about40 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg toabout 800 mg, about 25 mg to about 800 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg,about 10 mg to about 500 mg, about 50 mg to about 150 mg, about 50 mg,about 100 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 150 mg to about 200 mg,about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, about 300 mg to about 1500 mg, about 200mg to about 1000 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg, about 160 mg, orabout 150 mg of zoledronic acid in an acid form or in a salt form suchas disodium salt form, or any amount of osteoclast inhibitor in a rangebounded by, or between, any of these values. In some embodiments, theoral or IV osteoclast inhibitor is administered daily, every other day,every third day, weekly, biweekly, monthly, every two or three months,every six months, once a year, or twice a year from day 1.

Some dosage forms may contain about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1mg to about 10 mg, about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg, about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about 10 mgto about 250 mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 20 mg to about 200mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg, about 30 mg to about 100 mg, about 1 mgto about 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 40 mg to about 60mg, about 50 mg to about 65 mg, about 65 mg to about 70 mg, about 50 mgto about 60 mg, about 55 mg, about 10 mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mg toabout 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 40 mg to about 150 mg,about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 600 mg, about 100 mgto about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about 800mg, about 25 mg to about 800 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg, about 10mg to about 500 mg, about 50 mg to about 150 mg, about 50 mg, about 100mg, about 50 mg to about 200 mg, about 50 mg to about 500 mg, about 150mg to about 200 mg, about 100 mg to about 2000 mg, about 300 mg to about1500 mg, about 200 mg to about 1000 mg, about 100 mg to about 500 mg,about 160 mg, or about 150 mg of osteoclast inhibitor, or any amount ofosteoclast inhibitor in a range bounded by, or between, any of thesevalues. In some embodiments, the oral or IV osteoclast inhibitor isadministered daily, every other day, every third day, weekly, bi-weekly,monthly, every two or three months, every 6 months, once a year, ortwice a year from day 1.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may contain about 10 mg/m² toabout 20 mg/m², about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², about80 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m², about 90 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m², about100 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m² of zoledronic acid, or any amount ofzoledronic in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. Alldosage ranges or amounts expressed in mg/m² are based upon the bodysurface area of the mammal.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of an osteoclast inhibitor,including a bisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronicacid, is about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg,about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, or any amountin a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. In someembodiments, the daily oral dose of osteoclast inhibitor is less thanabout 35 mg/m², less than about 30 mg/m², less than about 25 mg/m²,about 1 mg/m² to about 35 mg/m², about 1 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about1.5 mg/m² to about 25 mg/m², about 1.8 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about 15mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², or any amount of zoledronicacid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of an osteoclast inhibitor,including a bisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronicacid, is about 0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg,about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, or any amountof osteoclast inhibitor in a range bounded by, or between, any of thesevalues. In some embodiments, the daily oral dose of osteoclast inhibitoris less than about 35 mg/m², less than about 30 mg/m², less than about25 mg/m², about 1 mg/m² to about 35 mg/m², about 1 mg/m² to about 30mg/m², about 1.5 mg/m² to about 25 mg/m², about 1.8 mg/m² to about 20mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 30mg/m², about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², or any amountof osteoclast inhibitor in a range bounded by, or between, any of thesevalues.

In some embodiments the daily oral dose of zoledronic acid is about0.005 mg to about 20 mg, about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, about 0.5 mg toabout 10 mg, about 0.2 mg to about 5 mg, or any amount of zoledronicacid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. In someembodiments, the daily oral dose of zoledronic acid is less than about35 mg/m², less than about 30 mg/m², less than about 25 mg/m², about 1mg/m² to about 35 mg/m², about 1 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about 1.5mg/m² to about 25 mg/m², about 1.8 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m², about 15mg/m² to about 20 mg/m², about 18 mg/m², or any amount of zoledronicacid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

In some embodiments, the weekly oral dose of the osteoclast inhibitor,including a bisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, ibandronic acid,is about 1 mg to about 1000 mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mgto about 250 mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mg to about 100mg, about 10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 10mg to about 300 mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg, about 20 mg to about 60mg, about 30 mg to about 70 mg, about 40 mg to about 60 mg, about 50 mgto about 70 mg, about 50 mg, about 55 mg, about 100 mg to about 150 mg,or about 30 mg to about 100 mg. In some embodiments, the weekly oraldose of the osteoclast inhibitor is less than about 250 mg/m², less thanabout 200 mg/m², less than about 175 mg/m², about 6 mg/m² to about 250mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 210 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 170mg/m², about 4 mg/m² to about 140 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 140mg/m², about 126 mg/m², or any amount in a range bounded by, or between,any of these values. The weekly oral dose may be given as a single dose,given once during the week, or may be given in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7individual doses during the week.

In some embodiments the weekly oral dose of zoledronic acid is about 1mg to about 1000 mg, about 1 mg to about 500 mg, about 10 mg to about250 mg, about 100 mg to about 300 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about10 mg to about 150 mg, about 10 mg to about 100 mg, about 10 mg to about300 mg, about 20 mg to about 150 mg, about 20 mg to about 60 mg, about30 mg to about 70 mg, about 40 mg to about 60 mg, about 50 mg to about70 mg, about 50 mg, about 55 mg, about 100 mg to about 150 mg, or about30 mg to about 100 mg. In some embodiments, the weekly oral dose ofzoledronic acid is less than about 250 mg/m², less than about 200 mg/m²,less than about 175 mg/m², about 6 mg/m² to about 250 mg/m², about 10mg/m² to about 210 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 170 mg/m², about 4mg/m² to about 140 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 140 mg/m², about 126mg/m², or any amount of zoledronic acid in a range bounded by, orbetween, any of these values. The weekly oral dose may be given as asingle dose, given once during the week, or may be given in 2, 3, 4, 5,6, or 7 individual doses during the week.

In some embodiments, the monthly dose of the osteoclast inhibitor,including a bisphosphonate, such as a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate, e.g. zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronicacid, or the amount of the osteoclast inhibitor that is administeredover a period of a month, is about 5000 mg or less, about 4000 mg orless, about 3000 mg or less, about 2000 mg or less, about 1000 mg orless, about 700 mg or less, about 600 mg or less, about 1 mg to about4,000 mg, about 1 mg to about 1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 1000 mg,about 50 mg to about 1000 mg, about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mgto about 600 mg, about 50 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 400mg, about 50 mg to about 200 mg, about 200 mg to about 300 mg, about 250mg to about 350 mg, or about 100 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg toabout 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about 800 mg, about 50 mg to about 800 mg,or about 100 mg to about 800 mg, about 40 mg to about 1000 mg, about 50mg to about 1000 mg, or about 100 mg to about 1000 mg, or any monthlydose in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. In someembodiments, the monthly oral dose of the osteoclast inhibitor is lessthan about 1000 mg/m², less than about 800 mg/m², less than about 600mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 50 mg/m² to about 800mg/m², about 70 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 700mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 50 mg/m² to about 200mg/m², about 300 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 450 mg/m² to about 600mg/m², about 300 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 400 mg/m² to about1000 mg/m², about 500 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 400 mg/m² toabout 700 mg/m², about 500 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 540 mg/m², orany amount in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values. Amonthly dose may be given as a single dose, or as two or more individualdoses administered during the month. In some embodiments, the monthlydose is administered in 2 or 3 weekly doses. In some embodiments, themonthly dose is administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses. In someembodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 28 to 31 daily doses.In some embodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 5 to 10individual doses during the month. The monthly dose may be administeredfor only 1 month, or may be repeatedly administered for 2 or moremonths.

In some embodiments, the monthly dose of zoledronic acid, or the amountof zoledronic acid that is administered over a period of a month, isabout 5000 mg or less, about 4000 mg or less, about 3000 mg or less,about 2000 mg or less, about 1000 mg or less, about 700 mg or less,about 600 mg or less, about 1 mg to about 4,000 mg, about 1 mg to about1,000 mg, about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, about 50 mg to about 1000 mg,about 10 mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 600 mg, about 50 mg toabout 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 400 mg, about 50 mg to about 200 mg,about 200 mg to about 300 mg, about 250 mg to about 350 mg, or about 100mg to about 600 mg, about 40 mg to about 2000 mg, about 40 mg to about800 mg, about 50 mg to about 800 mg, or about 100 mg to about 800 mg,about 40 mg to about 1000 mg, about 50 mg to about 1000 mg, or about 100mg to about 1000 mg, or any monthly dose in a range bounded by, orbetween, any of these values. In some embodiments, the monthly oral doseof zoledronic acid is less than about 1000 mg/m², less than about 800mg/m², less than about 600 mg/m², about 10 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m²,about 50 mg/m² to about 800 mg/m², about 70 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m²,about 100 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m², about 100 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m²,about 50 mg/m² to about 200 mg/m², about 300 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m²,about 450 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m², about 300 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m²,about 400 mg/m² to about 1000 mg/m², about 500 mg/m² to about 1000mg/m², about 400 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m², about 500 mg/m² to about 600mg/m², about 540 mg/m², or any amount of zoledronic acid in a rangebounded by, or between, any of these values. A monthly dose may be givenas a single dose, or as two or more individual doses administered duringthe month. In some embodiments, the monthly dose is administered in 2 or3 weekly doses. In some embodiments, the monthly dose is administered in4 or 5 weekly doses. In some embodiments, the monthly dose isadministered in 28 to 31 daily doses. In some embodiments, the monthlydose is administered in 5 to 10 individual doses during the month. Themonthly dose may be administered for only 1 month, or may be repeatedlyadministered for 2 or more months.

In some embodiments, a six week dose of zoledronic acid may be about 200mg to about 500 mg, about 300 mg to about 450 mg, or about 300 mg. Insome embodiments, the six week dose of zoledronic acid may beadministered only once. In some embodiments, the six week dose ofzoledronic acid may be administered in six weekly doses, e.g about 35 mgto about 80 mg or about 50 mg to about 75 mg in each weekly dose.

With respect to orally administering zoledronic acid to a mammal, suchas a dog, a rat, a rabbit, a monkey, an ape, or a human being, doses ofabout 0.03 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, or any smaller range within thisrange, such as about 0.4 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg toabout 1.5 mg/kg, mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg to about 0.5 mg/kg, about 0.5mg/kg to about 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.7 mg/kg, about 0.7mg/kg to about 0.8 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg, about 0.9mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg to about 1.1 mg/kg, about 1.1mg/kg to about 1.2 mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg to about 1.3 mg/kg, about 1.3mg/kg to about 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.4 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg, about 1.5mg/kg to about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg to about 1.7 mg/kg, about 1.7mg/kg to about 1.8 mg/kg, about 1.8 mg/kg to about 1.9 mg/kg, about 1.9mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg to about 2.1 mg/kg, about 2.1mg/kg to about 2.2 mg/kg, about 2.2 mg/kg to about 2.3 mg/kg, about 2.3mg/kg to about 2.4 mg/kg, about 2.4 mg/kg to about 2.5 mg/kg, about 2.5mg/kg to about 2.6 mg/kg, about 2.6 mg/kg to about 2.7 mg/kg, about 2.7mg/kg to about 2.8 mg/kg, about 2.8 mg/kg to about 2.9 mg/kg, about 2.9mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg to about 3.1 mg/kg, about 3.1mg/kg to about 3.2 mg/kg, about 3.2 mg/kg to about 3.3 mg/kg, about 3.3mg/kg to about 3.4 mg/kg, about 3.4 mg/kg to about 3.5 mg/kg, about 3.5mg/kg to about 3.6 mg/kg, about 3.6 mg/kg to about 3.7 mg/kg, about 3.7mg/kg to about 3.8 mg/kg, about 3.8 mg/kg to about 3.9 mg/kg, about 3.9mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg to about 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.6mg/kg to about 0.8 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 1mg/kg to about 1.2 mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg to about 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.4mg/kg to about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg to about 1.8 mg/kg, about 1.8mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg to about 2.2 mg/kg, about 2.2mg/kg to about 2.4 mg/kg, about 2.4 mg/kg to about 2.6 mg/kg, about 2.6mg/kg to about 2.8 mg/kg, about 2.8 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, about 3mg/kg to about 3.2 mg/kg, about 3.2 mg/kg to about 3.4 mg/kg, about 3.4mg/kg to about 3.6 mg/kg, about 3.6 mg/kg to about 3.8 mg/kg, about 3.8mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg to about 0.7 mg/kg, about 0.7mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg to about 1.3 mg/kg, about 1.3mg/kg to about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg to about 1.9 mg/kg, about 1.9mg/kg to about 2.2 mg/kg, about 2.2 mg/kg to about 2.5 mg/kg, about 2.5mg/kg to about 2.8 mg/kg, about 2.8 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, about 3.3mg/kg to about 3.6 mg/kg, about 3.6 mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg, about 0.4mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, or about 0.5 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, may be asafe dose for repeated oral administration, such as once daily dosing toonce yearly dosing, once daily dosing to twice yearly dosing, once dailydosing to thrice yearly dosing, once daily dosing to dosing every threemonths, once daily dosing to dosing every two months, once daily dosingto dosing every two months, once daily dosing to dosing every month,once daily dosing to dosing every 2-4 weeks, once daily dosing to onceweekly dosing, etc.

The doses referred to in the paragraph above for administration ofzoledronic acid to a mammal may be safely administered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 times, or about 3 to about 10 times,once a day, or less frequently, such as once week, once every two weeks,once a month, etc.

For once daily to once weekly oral administration of zoledronic acid toa mammal such as a mouse, rat, dog, primate, or a human being, in someembodiments, a safely repeated dose may be about 0.03 mg/kg to about 4mg/kg, or any smaller range within this range, such as about 0.01 mg/kgto about 0.02 mg/kg, about 0.02 mg/kg to about 0.03 mg/kg, about 0.03mg/kg to about 0.04 mg/kg, about 0.04 mg/kg to about 0.05 mg/kg, about0.05 mg/kg to about 0.06 mg/kg, about 0.06 mg/kg to about 0.07 mg/kg,about 0.07 mg/kg to about 0.08 mg/kg, about 0.08 mg/kg to about 0.09mg/kg, about 0.09 mg/kg to about 0.1 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about0.11 mg/kg, about 0.11 mg/kg to about 0.12 mg/kg, about 0.12 mg/kg toabout 0.13 mg/kg, about 0.13 mg/kg to about 0.14 mg/kg, about 0.14 mg/kgto about 0.15 mg/kg, about 0.15 mg/kg to about 0.16 mg/kg, about 0.16mg/kg to about 0.17 mg/kg, about 0.17 mg/kg to about 0.18 mg/kg, about0.18 mg/kg to about 0.19 mg/kg, about 0.19 mg/kg to about 0.2 mg/kg,about 0.2 mg/kg to about 0.21 mg/kg, about 0.21 mg/kg to about 0.22mg/kg, about 0.22 mg/kg to about 0.23 mg/kg, about 0.23 mg/kg to about0.24 mg/kg, about 0.24 mg/kg to about 0.25 mg/kg, about 0.25 mg/kg toabout 0.26 mg/kg, about 0.26 mg/kg to about 0.27 mg/kg, about 0.27 mg/kgto about 0.28 mg/kg, about 0.28 mg/kg to about 0.29 mg/kg, about 0.29mg/kg to about 0.3 mg/kg, about 0.3 mg/kg to about 0.31 mg/kg, about0.31 mg/kg to about 0.32 mg/kg, about 0.32 mg/kg to about 0.33 mg/kg,about 0.33 mg/kg to about 0.34 mg/kg, about 0.34 mg/kg to about 0.35mg/kg, about 0.35 mg/kg to about 0.36 mg/kg, about 0.36 mg/kg to about0.37 mg/kg, about 0.37 mg/kg to about 0.38 mg/kg, about 0.38 mg/kg toabout 0.39 mg/kg, about 0.39 mg/kg to about 0.4 mg/kg, about 0.05 mg/kgto about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.05 mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg, about 0.06mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg, about 0.07 mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg, about0.08 mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg, about 0.09 mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg,about 0.1 mg/kg to about 0.15 mg/kg, about 0.03 mg/kg to about 0.5mg/kg, about 0.06 mg/kg to about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.07 mg/kg to about0.2 mg/kg, about 0.08 mg/kg to about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.09 mg/kg toabout 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg toabout 4 mg, about 0.4 mg/kg to about 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about0.8 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg to about 1.2mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg to about 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.4 mg/kg to about 1.6mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg to about 1.8 mg/kg, about 1.8 mg/kg to about 2mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg to about 2.2 mg/kg, about 2.2 mg/kg to about 2.4mg/kg, about 2.4 mg/kg to about 2.6 mg/kg, about 2.6 mg/kg to about 2.8mg/kg, about 2.8 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg to about 3.2mg/kg, about 3.2 mg/kg to about 3.4 mg/kg, about 3.4 mg/kg to about 3.6mg/kg, about 3.6 mg/kg to about 3.8 mg/kg, about 3.8 mg/kg to about 4mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 2mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 2mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 1.5mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1.5mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.9mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg to about 1mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg to about 1mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, or about 0.8 mg/kg to about 0.9mg/kg.

For once weekly or less frequent oral administration of zoledronic acidto a mammal such as a mouse, rat, dog, primate, or a human being, insome embodiments, a safely repeated dose may be about 0.4 mg to about 10mg, or any smaller range within this range, such as about 0.4 mg/kg toabout 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.8 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg toabout 1 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg to about 1.2 mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg toabout 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.4 mg/kg to about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg toabout 1.8 mg/kg, about 1.8 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg toabout 2.2 mg/kg, about 2.2 mg/kg to about 2.4 mg/kg, about 2.4 mg/kg toabout 2.6 mg/kg, about 2.6 mg/kg to about 2.8 mg/kg, about 2.8 mg/kg toabout 3 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg to about 3.2 mg/kg, about 3.2 mg/kg toabout 3.4 mg/kg, about 3.4 mg/kg to about 3.6 mg/kg, about 3.6 mg/kg toabout 3.8 mg/kg, about 3.8 mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg, about 4 mg/kg toabout 4.2 mg/kg, about 4.2 mg/kg to about 4.4 mg/kg, about 4.4 mg/kg toabout 4.6 mg/kg, about 4.6 mg/kg to about 4.8 mg/kg, about 4.8 mg/kg toabout 5 mg/kg, about 5 mg/kg to about 5.2 mg/kg, about 5.2 mg/kg toabout 5.4 mg/kg, about 5.4 mg/kg to about 5.6 mg/kg, about 5.6 mg/kg toabout 5.8 mg/kg, about 5.8 mg/kg to about 6 mg/kg, about 6 mg/kg toabout 6.2 mg/kg, about 6.2 mg/kg to about 6.4 mg/kg, about 6.4 mg/kg toabout 6.6 mg/kg, about 6.6 mg/kg to about 6.8 mg/kg, about 6.8 mg/kg toabout 7 mg/kg, about 7 mg/kg to about 7.2 mg/kg, about 7.2 mg/kg toabout 7.4 mg/kg, about 7.4 mg/kg to about 7.6 mg/kg, about 7.6 mg/kg toabout 7.8 mg/kg, about 7.8 mg/kg to about 8 mg/kg, about 8 mg/kg toabout 8.2 mg/kg, about 8.2 mg/kg to about 8.4 mg/kg, about 8.4 mg/kg toabout 8.6 mg/kg, about 8.6 mg/kg to about 8.8 mg/kg, about 8.8 mg/kg toabout 9 mg/kg, about 9 mg/kg to about 9.2 mg/kg, about 9.2 mg/kg toabout 9.4 mg/kg, about 9.4 mg/kg to about 9.6 mg/kg, about 9.6 mg/kg toabout 9.8 mg/kg, about 9.8 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg toabout 2 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg toabout 2 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg toabout 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg toabout 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg toabout 1 mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg toabout 1 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, or about 0.8 mg/kg toabout 0.9 mg/kg,

In some embodiments, the osteoclast inhibitor comprises zoledronic acid,and the oral zoledronic acid, or disodium salt thereof, may beadministered in combination with about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg ofzoledronic acid, or a salt thereof, administered parenterally, such asintravenously. In some embodiments, about 50 mg, about 100 mg, or about150 mg of the disodium salt of zoledronic acid is administered orally incombination with 1 mg parenteral, such as intravenous, zoledronic acid.In some embodiments the parenteral dose of zoledronic acid is about 0.25mg to about 25 mg, about 0.25 mg to about 10 mg, or about 0.5 mg toabout 7.5 mg.

With respect to oral administration of an osteoclast inhibitor, such aszoledronic acid, minodronic acid, ibandronic acid, or anotherbisphosphonate, for the treatment of pain associated with inflammation,arthritis, CRPS, or any other condition recited herein, it may helpfulif the mammal or human being to which the osteoclast inhibitor isadministered does not eat food or drink beverage, (other than any waterrequired to swallow the oral dosage form) for at least about 1 hour, atleast about 2 hours, at least about 4 hours, at least about 6 hours, atleast about 8 hours, at least about 10 hours, or at least about 12 hoursbefore the osteoclast inhibitor is administered. It may also be helpfulif the mammal or human being to which the osteoclast inhibitor isadministered does not eat food or drink beverage for at least about 30minutes, at least about 1 hour, at least about 2 hours, at least about 3hours, or at least about 4 hours after the osteoclast inhibitor isadministered. In some embodiments, a human being to which the zoledronicacid is administered avoids lying down, or remains upright or sitsupright, for at least about 30 minutes or about 1 hour after receiving adosage form containing the osteoclast inhibitor. Avoiding food orbeverage before or after oral administration of the osteoclast inhibitorcan improve the bioavailability of the osteoclast inhibitor.

The oral bioavailability of osteoclast inhibitor in a dosage form canvary. Some dosage forms may have ingredients added to enhance thebioavailability. However, bioavailability enhancement is not necessaryfor an oral dosage form to be effective. In some embodiments, the dosageform is substantially free of bioavailability-enhancing agents, such asamino acids or large quantities (e.g. at least about 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%,70%, or more) of carboxylic acid salts. In some embodiments, an oraldosage form may have an oral bioavailability of the osteoclastinhibitor—such as zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, ibandronic acid—ofabout 0.01% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 7%, about 0.1% to about5%, etc. Without ingredients or other methods to enhancebioavailability, bisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid typically havea low bioavailability in an oral dosage form. In some embodiments, theoral bioavailability of zoledronic acid is unenhanced or substantiallyunenhanced. For example, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid canbe about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.01% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about3%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.2% to about 2%, about 0.2% to about1.5%, about 0.3% to about 1.5%, about 0.3% to about 1%, about 1% toabout 3%, about 1.2% to about 3.5%, about 1.2% to about 3%, about 1% toabout 4%, about 1.5% to about 4.5%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.3%to about 0.5%, about 0.5% to about 1%, about 0.6% to about 0.7%, about0.7% to about 0.8%, about 0.8% to about 0.9%, about 0.9%, about 1% toabout 1.1%, about 1.1% to about 1.2%, about 1.2% to about 1.3%, about1.3% to about 1.4%, about 1.4% to about 1.5%, about 1.5% to about 1.6%,about 1.6% to about 1.8%, about 1.8% to about 2%, about 2% to about2.2%, about 2.2% to about 2.4%, about 2.4% to about 2.6%, about 2.6% toabout 2.8%, about 2.8% to about 3.0%, about 3% to about 3.2%, about 3.2%to about 3.4%, about 3.4% to about 3.6%, about 3.6% to about 3.8%, about3.8% to about 4%, about 2% to about 2.5%, or any bioavailability ofzoledronic acid in a range bounded by, or between, any of these values.

One embodiment is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an osteoclastinhibitor such as zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronic acidwherein the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage formis from about 0.01% to about 10%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of the osteoclastinhibitor in the dosage form is about 0.01% to about 5%, about 0.1% toabout 7%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 3%, about 0.1% toabout 2%, about 0.2% to about 2%, about 0.2% to about 1.5%, about 0.3%to about 1.5%, or about 0.3% to about 1.0%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.01% to about 5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.1% to about 7%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.1% to about 5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.1% to about 3%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.1% to about 2%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.2% to about 2%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.2% to about 1.5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.3% to about 1.5%.

In some embodiments, the oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in thedosage form is about 0.3% to about 1.0%.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about300 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronic acid and isadministered daily for about 2 to about 15 consecutive days. Thisregimen may be repeated once monthly, once every two months, once everythree months, once every four months, once every five months, once everysix months, once yearly, or once every two years.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about150 mg or about 10 mg to about 100 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronicacid, or ibandronic acid and is administered daily for about 2 to about15 consecutive days. This regimen may be repeated once monthly, onceevery two months, once every three months, once every four months, onceevery five months, once every six months, once yearly, or once every twoyears.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 10 mg to about150 mg or about 10 mg to about 100 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronicacid, or ibandronic acid and is administered daily for about 5 to about10 consecutive days. This regimen may be repeated once monthly, onceevery two months, once every three months, once every four months, onceevery five months, once every six months, once yearly, or once every twoyears.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form comprises about 40 mg to about150 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronic acid and isadministered daily for about 5 to about 10 consecutive days. Thisregimen may be repeated once monthly, once every two months, once everythree months, once every four months, once every five months, once everysix months, once yearly, or once every two years.

In some embodiments, the oral zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, oribandronic acid may be administered as one dose of about 100 mg to about2000 mg. In some embodiments, the oral zoledronic acid, minodronic acid,or ibandronic acid may be administered as one dose of about 300 mg toabout 1500 mg. In some embodiments, the oral zoledronic acid, minodronicacid, or ibandronic acid may be administered as one dose of about 200 mgto about 1000 mg. The dose of zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, oribandronic acid may be administered in a single or divided dose.

An osteoclast inhibitor, such as zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, oribandronic acid, may be formulated for oral administration, for example,with an inert diluent or with an edible carrier, or it may be enclosedin hard or soft shell gelatin capsules, compressed into tablets, orincorporated directly with the food of the diet. For oral therapeuticadministration, the active compound may be incorporated with anexcipient and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets,coated tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, dispersions, suspensions,solutions, syrups, wafers, patches, and the like.

Tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain one ormore of the following: a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, cornstarch or gelatin; an excipient, such as dicalcium phosphate; adisintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acidand the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; a sweetening agentsuch as sucrose, lactose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such aspeppermint, oil of wintergreen or cherry flavoring. When the unit dosageform is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the abovetype, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present ascoating, for instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated withshellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the activecompound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens aspreservatives, a dye and flavoring, such as cherry or orange flavor. Itmay be desirable for material in a dosage form or pharmaceuticalcomposition to be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non toxic inthe amounts employed.

In some embodiments, an osteoclast inhibitor, including abisphosphonate, such as zoledronic acid, neridronic acid, etc., is in adosage form containing one of, or a combination of, the ingredients inthe Table E below.

TABLE E Iron Methyl Paraben Propyl Paraben Sorbitol Carob Bean GumMannitol Gum Tragacanth Guar Gum Benzoic Acid Sodium Benzoate Garlic andOil of Garlic Oil of Rue Propyl Gallate Gum Ghatti Gum Arabic SterculiaGum (karaya gum) Indian Dill Seed Pulps Clove Bud Extract Clove Bud OilClove Bud Oleoresin Clove Leaf Oil Clove Stem Oil Cholic acidDesoxycholic acid Glycocholic acid Ox bile extract Taurocholic acidSorbose Sodium thiosulfate Gelatin Mustard or Oil of Mustard (Brown andYellow) Glycyrrhiza Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin Licorice Caprylic AcidStannous Chloride Ammonium bicarbonate Ammonium carbonate Ammoniumchloride Ammonium hydroxide Ammonium phosphate, such as ammoniumphosphate dibasic or Ammonium phosphate monobasic Ammonium sulfateCalcium iodate Potassium iodate Potassium iodide Aconitic Acid Calciumcarbonate Potassium bicarbonate Sodium bicarbonate Sodium carbonateSodium sesquicarbonate Glycerin and Glycerides Dextran Dextrins Corndextrins Calcium acetate Calcium chloride Calcium gluconate Calciumphytate Calcium hydroxide Calcium oxide Succinic acid ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) Calcium hexametaphosphate Calcium phosphate dibasicCalcium phosphate monobasic Calcium phosphate tribasic Calciumpyrophosphate Phosphoric acid Potassium phosphate dibasic Potassiumphosphate monobasic Potassium phosphate tribasic Potassiumpolymetaphosphate Potassium pyrophosphate Potassium tripolyphosphateSodium acid pyrophosphate Sodium hexametaphosphate Sodium metaphosphateSodium phosphate dibasic Sodium phosphate monobasic Sodium phosphatetribasic Sodium pyrophosphate, tetrabasic Sodium tetrametaphosphateSodium tetraphosphate Sodium trimetaphosphate Sodium tripolyphosphateSulfuric Acid alpha-Tocopherol acetate Tocopherols Choline BitartrateCholine Chloride Aluminum ammonium sulfate Aluminum hydroxide Aluminumoleate Aluminum palmitate Aluminum potassium sulfate Aluminum sodiumsulfate Aluminum sulfate Sodium aluminate Sodium aluminum phosphate,acidic Sodium aluminum phosphate, basic Sodium phosphoaluminate Beeswax(yellow or white) Japan wax Carnauba wax Corn Sugar (Dextrose) CornSyrup Invert Sugar Inositol Calcium stearate Hydrogenated tallow Stearicacid Tallow Malic acid L-Malic acid Calcium sorbate Potassium sorbateSodium sorbate Sorbic acid Sulfamic acid Sodium hydrosulfite Zinchydrosulfite Tall oil Fish oil, hydrogenated Sucrose Agar-agar Ammoniumalginate Calcium alginate Potassium alginate Propylene glycol alginateSodium alginate Propylene Glycol Propylene glycol monostearate Brownalgae Red algae Calcium glycerophosphate Manganese glycerophosphateMagnesium glycerophosphate Potassium glycerophosphate Potassiumhydroxide Sodium hydroxide Potassium metabisulfite Sodium bisulfiteSodium metabisulfite Sodium sulfite Sulfur dioxide Magnesium phosphate,dibasic Magnesium carbonate Magnesium chloride Magnesium hydroxideMagnesium oxide Magnesium stearate Magnesium sulfate Magnesiumphosphate, tribasic Adipic acid Hydrogenated soybean oil Ethyl formateFormic acid Sodium formate Carrageenan Nutmeg and Mace Zinc acetate Zinccarbonate Zinc chloride Zinc oxide Zinc sulfate Caramel Lard Lard oilPapain Gum guaiac Coconut oil Linoleic acid Oleic acid Peanut oilCalcium hypophosphite Manganous hypophosphite Potassium hypophosphiteSodium hypophosphite Pectin, amidated Pectin, high ester Pectin, lowacid Pectinates Pectinic acid Carboxymethyl cellulose Cellulose acetateEthyl cellulose Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose Methylcellulose SodiumCarboxymethyl cellulose Rennet Tannic acid (hydrolyzable gallotannins)Acetic acid Sodium acetate Sodium diacetate Pyridoxine Pyridoxinehydrochloride Sodium oleate Sodium palmitate Ethyl acrylate, monomericMethyl acrylate, monomeric Ethyl acrylate, polymeric Methyl acrylate,polymeric Bentonite Clay (kaolin) Corn silk Ammonium citrate Calciumcitrate Citric acid Isopropyl citrate Potassium citrate Sodium citrateStearyl citrate Triethyl citrate Biotin Enzymatically hydrolyzed caseinAcid hydrolyzed proteins Enzymatically hydrolyzed protein Soy saucesYeast autolyzates Caffeine L-Glutamic acid L-Glutamic acid hydrochlorideMonoammonium L-glutamate Monopotassium L-glutamate MonosodiumL-glutamate Calcium Lactate L(+)-calcium lactate D(−)-Lactic acid Lacticacid L(+)-lactic acid Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) D- or DL- Calciumpantothenate D-Pantothenyl alcohol D- or DL- Sodium pantothenate UreaThiamine hydrochloride Thiamine mononitrate Magnesium gluconatePotassium gluconate Sodium gluconate Zinc gluconate Vitamin B12(cyanocobalamin) Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) Vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) Potassium chloride Sodium chloride Soy protein isolateHydrochloric acid Copper (cupric) gluconate Copper (cupric) sulfateCuprous iodide Calcium caseinate Casein Sodium caseinate Aluminumcalcium silicate Calcium silicate Diatomaceous earth (filter aid)Magnesium silicate Perlite (filter aid) Potassium silicate Silicaaerogel Silicon dioxides Sodium aluminosilicate Sodium calciumaluminosilicate Sodium silicate Talc (basic magnesium silicate)Tricalcium silicate L(+)-potassium acid tartrate L(+)-sodium tartrateL(+)-tartaric acid Manganous chloride Manganous citrate Manganousgluconate Manganous oxide Manganous sulfate Lecithin Lecithin, hydrogenperoxide bleached Riboflavin Riboflavin-5′-phosphate Calcium propionateDilauryl thiodipropionate Propionic acid Sodium propionateThiodipropionic acid Hydrogen peroxide Carbon dioxide Nickel (elemental)Niacin (nicotinic acid) Niacinamide (nicotinamide) Carotene(beta-carotene) L-Ascorbic acid Ascorbyl palmitate (palmitoylL-ascorbic) Calcium L-ascorbate Erythorbic acid (D-isoascorbic acid)Sodium erythorbate (sodium D-isoascorbate) Sodium L-ascorbate AcetylatedDistarch Adipate Acetylated Distarch Glycerol Acetylated DistarchPhosphate Acetylated Distarch Oxypropanol Acid Modified Starch ArrowrootStarch Bleached Starch Cornstarch Distarch Glycerol Distarch OxypropanolDistarch Phosphate High Amylose Cornstarch Hydroxypropyl DistarchGlycerol Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate Hydroxypropyl StarchHydroxypropyl Starch, oxidized Milo Starch Monostarch Phosphate Potatostarch Pregelatinized starch Rice Starch Sodium Hydroxide GelatinizedStarch Starch Acetate Starch Aluminum Octenyl Succinate Starch SodiumSuccinate Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate Succinyl Distarch GlycerolTapioca Starch Waxy Maize Starch Wheat Starch Phosphated DistarchPhosphate Starch, Sodium Hypochlorite oxidized Vitamin A Vitamin Aacetate Vitamin A palmitate Diacetyl Starter distillate Carbonyl IronCarbonyl Iron Electrolytic Iron Electrolytic Iron Ferric ammoniumcitrate Ferric chloride Ferric citrate Ferric oxide Ferric phosphateFerric pyrophosphate Ferric sodium pyrophosphate Ferric sulfate Ferrousascorbate Ferrous carbonate Ferrous citrate Ferrous fumarate Ferrousgluconate Ferrous lactate Ferrous sulfate Ferrous sulfate Iron caprylateIron linoleate Iron naphthenate Iron oxides Iron peptonate Ironpolyvinylpyrrolidone Iron tallate Sodium ferric EDTA Sodiumferricitropyrophosphate Dietary Iron Ferric oxide Potassium carbonateCalcium glycerophosphate Cellulose, such as microcrystalline celluloseTitanium dioxide

Some compositions or dosage forms may be a liquid, or may comprise asolid phase dispersed in a liquid.

An osteoclast inhibitor, such as zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, oribandronic acid may be formulated for parental or intraperitonealadministration. Solutions of the active compounds as free acids orpharmacologically acceptable salts can be prepared in water suitablymixed with a surfactant, such as hydroxypropylcellulose. A dispersioncan also have an oil dispersed within, or dispersed in, glycerol, liquidpolyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof. Under ordinary conditions ofstorage and use, these preparations may contain a preservative toprevent the growth of microorganisms.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a silicifiedmicrocrystalline cellulose such as PROSLOV®. For example, about 20%(wt/wt) to about 70% (wt/wt), about 10% (wt/wt) to about 20% (wt/wt),about 20% (wt/wt) to about 40% (wt/wt), about 25% (wt/wt) to about 30%(wt/wt), about 40% (wt/wt) to about 50% (wt/wt), or about 45% (wt/wt) toabout 50% (wt/wt) silicified microcrystalline cellulose may be presentin an oral dosage form or a unit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a crosslinkedpolyvinylpyrrolidone such as crospovidone. For example, about 1% (wt/wt)to about 10% (wt/wt), about 1% (wt/wt) to about 5% (wt/wt), or about 1%(wt/wt) to about 3% (wt/wt) crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone may bepresent in an oral dosage form or a unit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise a fumed silicasuch as AEROSIL®. For example, about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 10% (wt/wt),about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 1% (wt/wt), or about 0.4% (wt/wt) to about0.6% (wt/wt) fumed silica may be present in an oral dosage form or aunit of an oral dosage form.

In some embodiments, an oral dosage form may comprise magnesiumstearate. For example, about 0.1% (wt/wt) to about 10% (wt/wt), about0.1% (wt/wt) to about 1% (wt/wt), or about 0.4% (wt/wt) to about 0.6%(wt/wt) magnesium stearate may be present in an oral dosage form or aunit of an oral dosage form.

An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid or another bisphosphonateor osteoclast inhibitor may be included in a pharmaceutical productcomprising more than one unit of the oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product containing oral dosage forms for daily use cancontain 28, 29, 30, or 31 units of the oral dosage form for a monthlysupply. An approximately 6 week daily supply can contain 40 to 45 unitsof the oral dosage form. An approximately 3 month daily supply cancontain 85 to 95 units of the oral dosage form. An approximately sixmonth daily supply can contain 170 to 200 units of the oral dosage form.An approximately one year daily supply can contain 350 to 380 units ofthe oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product containing oral dosage forms for weekly use cancontain 4 or 5 units of the oral dosage form for a monthly supply. Anapproximately two month weekly supply can contain 8 or 9 units of theoral dosage form. An approximately six week weekly supply can containabout 6 units of the oral dosage form. An approximately three monthweekly supply can contain 12, 13 or 14 units of the oral dosage form. Anapproximately six month weekly supply can contain 22 to 30 units of theoral dosage form. An approximately one year weekly supply can contain 45to 60 units of the oral dosage form.

A pharmaceutical product may accommodate other dosing regimes. Forexample, a pharmaceutical product may comprise 5 to 10 units of the oraldosage form, wherein each unit of the oral dosage form contains about 40mg to about 150 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronicacid. Some pharmaceutical products may comprise 1 to 10 units of theoral dosage form, wherein the product contains about 200 mg to about2000 mg of zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, or ibandronic acid. Forsuch a product, each unit of the oral dosage form may be taken daily for1 to 10 days or 5 to 10 days during a month, such as at the beginning ofa month.

Some oral dosage forms comprising an osteoclast inhibitor—such assuitable bisphosphonates like zoledronic acid, minodronic acid, oribandronic acid or salts thereof—may have enteric coatings or filmcoatings. In some embodiments, an oral dosage form of an osteoclastinhibitor comprises a tablet having an enteric coating. In someembodiments, an oral dosage form of an osteoclast inhibitor comprises acapsule having an enteric coating. In some embodiments, an oral dosageform of an osteoclast inhibitor comprises a tablet having a filmcoating. In some embodiments, an oral dosage form of an osteoclastinhibitor comprises a capsule having a film coating.

Useful doses for an antibody against RANK or RANKL, such as denosumab,may range from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 0.75 mg/kg toabout 7.5 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg toabout 2 mg/kg, about 10 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 12 to about 17mg/kg, about 15 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg toabout 10 mg/kg, or any value bounded by or in between these ranges basedon the body weight of the mammal. The chosen dose may be administeredrepeatedly, particularly for chronic conditions, or the amount per dosemay be increased or decreased as treatment progresses. The chosen dosemay be administered one or more times per week, monthly, every twomonths, every three months, every six months, or every year.

In some embodiments, 60 mg of denosumab is administered subcutaneouslyto patient in need of treatment. In some embodiments, the administrationis repeated every six months.

There are a number of ways that some part of Compound 1 and/or Compound2 may be removed from a zoledronic acid product. For example, HPLC,preparative TLC, crystallization, sublimation, or zone purification maybe employed. Solvents that may be useful in HPLC, TLC, orcrystallization, may include, but are not limited to, water or organicsolvents, such as hexanes, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate,acetone, acetic acid, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol, methanol,isopropyl alcohol, chloroform, diethyl ether, toluene,dimethylformamide, benzene, etc. Gradients, or two solvent systems maybe employed as well. For example, an HPLC separation may begin byelution with water, after some time eluting with water, an organicsolvent, such as acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate,acetone, acetic acid, methyl acetate, or another solvent could graduallybe added to the water, or may replace the water entirely. Similarly,crystallization or recrystallization may employ a single solvent, or acombination of solvents. For example, zoledronic acid or a salt thereof,such as a disodium salt, might be recrystallized from water, ethanol,methanol, diethyl ether, methyl acetate, acetic acid, etc., or acombination of these solvents or others. In some embodiments, zoledronicacid or a salt thereof, such as a disodium salt, may be dissolved in onesolvent, such as water or acetic acid, and crystallized by a secondsolvent or solvent system, such as hexane, diethyl ether, chloroform,dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, acetic acid, ethanol,methanol, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a disodium saltof zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized byadding hexane. In some embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acidis dissolved in water, and then crystallized by adding diethyl ether. Insome embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved inwater, and then crystallized by adding chloroform. In some embodiments,a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and thencrystallized by adding dichloromethane. In some embodiments, a disodiumsalt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized byadding ethyl acetate. In some embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronicacid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized by adding methylacetate. In some embodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid isdissolved in water, and then crystallized by adding acetic acid. In someembodiments, a disodium salt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water,and then crystallized by adding ethanol. In some embodiments, a disodiumsalt of zoledronic acid is dissolved in water, and then crystallized byadding methanol. For embodiments employing water and a second solvent,the ratio of water to the second solvent (water:second solvent) may beabout 1:100 to about 100:1, about 1:10 to about 1:5, about 1:5 to about1:4, about 1:4 to about 1:3, about 1:3 to about 1:2, about 1:2 to about1:1, about 1:1 to about 2:1, about 2:1 to about 3:1, about 3:1 to about4:1, about 4:1 to about 5:1, or about 1:1 to about 10:1.

In some embodiments, a combination of two methods recited in theparagraph above may be employed, such as HPLC or TLC andcrystallization. In some embodiments, a method may be repeated, such asHPLC, preparative TLC, crystallization, sublimation, or zonepurification. In some embodiments, a purification method recited in theparagraph above may be performed twice. In some embodiments, apurification method recited in the paragraph above may be performedthree or four times.

Some oral dosage forms comprising zoledronic acid or a salt thereof mayhave enteric coatings or film coatings.

In the examples below, zoledronic acid was administered in the disodiumsalt form as disodium zoledronate tetrahydrate. No bioavailabilityenhancing agents were used in the test compositions.

EXAMPLE 1 Effect of Orally Administered Zoledronic Acid in Rat Model ofInflammatory Pain

Method:

The effect of orally administered zoledronic acid on inflammatory painwas examined using the rat complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model.Inflammatory pain was induced by injection of 100% CFA in a 75 μL volumeinto the left hind paws of Sprague-Dawley® rats on day 0, followed byassessments on days 1-3. Animals were orally administered vehicle(control), zoledronic acid 18 mg/m² (or 3 mg/kg), zoledronic acid 120mg/m² (or 20 mg/kg), or zoledronic acid 900 mg/m² (or 150 mg/kg) dailyon days 1-3. Drug was dissolved in distilled water and prepared freshdaily. Animals were fasted prior to dosing. Under current FDA guidelinesfor extrapolating starting dosages from animals to humans, dosagesexpressed in mg/m² are considered equivalent between mammalian species.Thus, for example, 18 mg/m² in a rat is considered equivalent to 18mg/m² in a human being, while 3 mg/kg in a rat may not be equivalent to3 mg/kg in a human being.

Values for inflammatory pain (mechanical hyperalgesia) in the vehicleand drug-treated animals were obtained on day 0 prior to CFA injection,and at baseline and post-treatment on days 1-3. Pain was assessed usinga digital Randall-Selitto device (dRS; IITC Life Sciences, WoodlandHills, Calif.). Animals were placed in a restraint sling that suspendedthe animal, leaving the hind limbs available for testing. Pawcompression threshold was measured by applying increasing pressure tothe plantar surface of the hind paw with a dome-shaped tip placedbetween the 3rd and 4th metatarsus. Pressure was applied gradually overapproximately 10 seconds. Measurements were taken from the firstobserved nocifensive behavior of vocalization, struggle or withdrawal. Acut-off value of 300 g was used to prevent injury to the animal.

Reversal of inflammatory pain was calculated according to the formula:% reversal=(Post-treatment−Post-CFA baseline)/(Pre-CFA baseline−Post-CFAbaseline)×100.

The experiment was carried out using 9-10 animals per group.

Results:

Oral administration of zoledronic acid significantly improvedinflammatory pain thresholds compared to vehicle. Pain thresholdmeasurements taken at various times are shown in FIG. 1. Paw compressionthresholds in the 18 mg/m² group were higher than for vehicle during theentire measurement period after 30 minutes from the start of treatment.On day three, paw compression thresholds for both the 18 mg/m² and 900mg/m² groups were greater than for vehicle. An improvement in painthreshold of 49% and 83% from baseline was observed for the 18 mg/m² andthe 900 mg/m² groups respectively.

Orally administered zoledronic acid produced a 29% reversal ofinflammatory pain at the 18 mg/m², and a 48% reversal at the 900 mg/m²dose. This magnitude of effect is comparable to that obtained withclinical doses of commercially available NSAIDs when tested in a similarmodel of inflammatory pain. Under current FDA guidelines, the referencebody surface area of a human adult is 1.62 m². Thus, a daily dose of 18mg/m² corresponds to a monthly dose of about 500-560 mg/m² or a humandose of about 800-900 mg.

Surprisingly, the two higher doses resulted in thresholds that werelower than vehicle on the first two days of dosing. The 120 mg/m² groupwas approximately equal or inferior to vehicle at all time points duringthe assessment period. While the 900 mg/m² group showed effectiveness onday 3, this result was accompanied by significant toxicity necessitatingeuthanization of all the animals in this group two days after cessationof dosing.

EXAMPLE 2 Effect of Orally Administered Zoledronic Acid in Rat Model ofArthritis Pain

Method:

The effect of orally administered zoledronic acid on arthritis pain wasexamined in the rat complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of arthritispain. In this model, injection of 100% complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)in a 75 μL volume into the left hind paws is followed by a 10-14 dayperiod to allow for the development of arthritis pain. Animals wereorally administered vehicle (control), zoledronic acid 54 mg/m² (or 9mg/kg), or zoledronic acid 360 mg/m² (or 60 mg/kg), divided in threeequal daily doses on the first three days post CFA injection. Drug wasdissolved in distilled water and prepared fresh daily. Animals werefasted prior to dosing.

Arthritis pain (mechanical hyperalgesia) in the vehicle and drug-treatedanimals was evaluated on day 14 post CFA injection using a digitalRandall-Selitto device (dRS; IITC Life Sciences, Woodland Hills,Calif.). Animals were placed in a restraint sling that suspended theanimal, leaving the hind limbs available for testing. Paw compressionthreshold was measured by applying increasing pressure to the plantarsurface of the hind paw with a dome-shaped tip placed between the 3rdand 4th metatarsus. Pressure was applied gradually over approximately 10seconds. Measurements were taken from the first observed nocifensivebehavior of vocalization, struggle or withdrawal. A cut-off value of 300g was used to prevent injury to the animal.

Reversal of arthritis pain in the ipsilateral (CFA-injected) paw wascalculated according to the formula:% reversal=(ipsilateral drug threshold−ipsilateral vehiclethreshold)/(contralateral vehicle threshold−ipsilateral vehiclethreshold)×100.

The experiment was carried out using 7-10 animals per group.

Results:

Oral administration of zoledronic acid significantly improved arthritispain thresholds compared to vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, orallyadministered zoledronic acid produced a dose-dependent reversal ofarthritis pain. A reversal of 33% was observed in the 54 mg/m² group,and reversal of 54% was observed in the 360 mg/m² group. Under currentFDA guidelines, the reference body surface area of a human adult is 1.62m². Thus, 54 mg/m² in a rat is equivalent to an implied human dose ofabout 87 mg, and 360 mg/m² in a rat is equivalent to an implied humandose of about 583 mg.

EXAMPLE 3 Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome with OrallyAdministered Zoledronic Acid

The effect of orally administered zoledronic acid was examined in therat tibia fracture model of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPSwas induced in the rats by fracturing the right distal tibias of theanimals and casting the fractured hindpaws for 4 weeks, as described inGuo T Z et al. (Pain. 2004; 108: 95-107). This animal model has beenshown to replicate the inciting trauma (such as a fracture, a surgery, acrushing injury, a cutting injury, a scratch, or a puncture injury),natural history, signs, symptoms, and pathologic changes observed inhuman CRPS patients (Kingery W S et al., Pain. 2003; 104:75-84).

Animals were orally administered either vehicle (control) or zoledronicacid, in a dosage of 18 mg/m²/day (3 mg/kg/day) for 28 days, starting onthe day of fracture and casting. Drug was dissolved in distilled waterand administered by gavage. Animals were fasted for 4 hours before and 2hours after dosing. At the end of the 28-day period, casts were removed,and on the following day, the rats were tested for hindpaw pain, edema,and warmth.

Pain Assessments

Pain was assessed by measuring hyperalgesia, and weight bearing.

To measure hyperalgesia, an up-down von Frey testing paradigm was used.Rats were placed in a clear plastic cylinder (20 cm in diameter) with awire mesh bottom and allowed to acclimate for 15 minutes. The paw wastested with one of a series of eight von Frey hairs ranging in stiffnessfrom 0.41 g to 15.14 g. The von Frey hair was applied against thehindpaw plantar skin at approximately midsole, taking care to avoid thetori pads. The fiber was pushed until it slightly bowed and then it wasjiggled in that position for 6 seconds. Stimuli were presented at aninterval of several seconds. Hindpaw withdrawal from the fiber wasconsidered a positive response. The initial fiber presentation was 2.1 gand the fibers were presented according to the up-down method of Dixonto generate six responses in the immediate vicinity of the 50%threshold. Stimuli were presented at an interval of several seconds.

An incapacitance device (IITC Inc. Life Science, Woodland, Calif., USA)was used to measure hindpaw weight bearing, a postural effect of pain.The rats were manually held in a vertical position over the apparatuswith the hindpaws resting on separate metal scale plates and the entireweight of the rat was supported on the hindpaws. The duration of eachmeasurement was 6 seconds and 10 consecutive measurements were taken at60-second intervals. Eight readings (excluding the highest and lowestones) were averaged to calculate the bilateral hindpaw weight-bearingvalues. Weight bearing data were analyzed as the ratio between right(fracture) and left hindpaw weight bearing values ((2R/(R+L))×100%).

Edema Assessment

A laser sensor technique was used to determine the dorsal-ventralthickness of the hindpaw. Before baseline testing the bilateral hindpawswere tattooed with a 2 to 3 mm spot on the dorsal skin over the midpointof the third metatarsal. For laser measurements each rat was brieflyanesthetized with isoflurane and then held vertically so the hindpawrested on a table top below the laser. The paw was gently held flat onthe table with a small metal rod applied to the top of the ankle joint.Using optical triangulation, a laser with a distance measuring sensorwas used to determine the distance to the table top and to the top ofthe hindpaw at the tattoo site and the difference was used to calculatethe dorsal-ventral paw thickness. The measurement sensor device used inthese experiments (4381 Precicura, Limab, Goteborg, Sweden) has ameasurement range of 200 mm with a 0.01 mm resolution.

Hindpaw Temperature Measurement

The temperature of the hindpaw was measured using a fine wirethermocouple (Omega, Stanford, Conn., USA) applied to the paw skin. Sixsites were tested per hindpaw. The six measurements for each hindpawwere averaged for the mean temperature.

Results

As illustrated in FIG. 3, treatment with orally administered zoledronicacid reversed pain, restored weight bearing, and prevented edema ascompared to vehicle treated animals.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, von Frey pain thresholds for the right(fracture) hindpaw were reduced by 72% versus the contralateral (normal)hindpaw in vehicle treated animals. Zoledronate treatment reversedfracture induced pain by 77% as compared to vehicle treatment.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, reduction in weight bearing, a postural effectof pain, was significantly higher in the vehicle treated group ascompared to the zoledronic acid treated group. Weight bearing on thefracture hindlimb was reduced to 55% of normal in the vehicle treatedgroup. Zoledronate treatment significantly restored hindlimb weightbearing as compared to vehicle treatment (86% of normal).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the expected increase in hindpaw thickness wasgreater in the vehicle treated group as compared to the zoledronic acidtreated group, reflecting the development of edema. Zoledronatetreatment reduced hindpaw edema by 60% versus vehicle treatment.

Zoledronic acid reduced hindpaw warmth by 5% versus vehicle treatment.

The daily dose in the above experiment was 18 mg/m²/day. Under currentFDA guidelines, the reference body surface area of a human adult is 1.62m². Thus, a daily dose of 18 mg/m² corresponds to a monthly dose ofabout 500-560 mg/m² or a human dose of about 800-900 mg.

EXAMPLE 4 Solubility of Disodium Salt of Zoledronic Acid

The aqueous solubility of zoledronic acid and disodium zoledronatetetrahydrate was determined. One gram of the test compound was measuredin to a beaker. Demineralized water (pH 5.5) was then added in smallincrements to the test compound, and sonication was applied to themixture. The procedure was continued until complete dissolution wasachieved. Full dissolution was determined to have been reached when aclear solution was present with no visible material. The volume of waterrequired to reach full dissolution was used to calculate a solubilityvalue expressed in grams per 100 mL. The procedure was performed foreach compound.

Results

As shown in FIG. 7, the aqueous solubility of disodium zoledronatetetrahydrate is approximately 50 times that of zoledronic acid. Disodiumzoledronate tetrahydrate has a solubility of 12.5 g/100 mL compared toonly 0.25 g/100 mL for zoledronic acid.

EXAMPLE 5 Bioavailability of Orally Administered Zoledronic Acid andDisodium Zoledronate

Tablets were manufactured containing either pure zoledronic acid or thedisodium salt of zoledronic acid (disodium zoledronate tetrahydrate).Both types of tablets contained 50 mg of zoledronic acid equivalent pertablet. Identical excipients were used in both types of tablets, withamounts adjusted to account for the difference in molecular weightsbetween the acid and the disodium salt.

Beagle dogs were orally administered tablets containing 150 mgzoledronic acid equivalent either in the form of disodium zoledronate(Group 1) or pure zoledronic acid (Group 2). Each animal was given three50 mg equivalent tablets (150 mg total), which were administeredtogether. The animal's oral cavity was wetted with water before placingthe tablets on the back of the animal's tongue. Animals were fastedbefore and after dosing. Animals were 6 to 9 months of age and weighed 6to 10 kg on the day of dosing. There were three dogs per group.

Serial blood samples were collected from each animal by venipuncture ofthe jugular vein at various points after dosing for measurement ofplasma concentrations of zoledronic acid. Blood samples were collectedinto chilled tubes containing K₂EDTA as the anticoagulant. Samples werethen centrifuged at approximately 3000 rpm at +4° C. for 10 minutes forplasma derivation. Plasma concentrations of zoledronic acid weremeasured using an LC/MS/MS method.

Results

The average plasma concentrations of zoledronic acid for each group ofdogs is summarized in Table 1 and illustrated in FIG. 8. Detectableplasma levels of zoledronic acid were observed for the entire 48 hoursthat they were measured.

TABLE 1 Zoledronic Acid plasma concentrations in beagle dogs Plasma Timeconcentration (hour) (ng/mL) Group 1 (N = 3) Disodium Zoledronate 0 0.00Tablets 0.25 1193.97 (150 mg acid equivalent) 0.5 1852.12 0.75 1776.51 11626.56 2 640.57 4 136.93 6 53.11 8 26.97 12 13.74 24 6.78 48 5.39 Group2 (N = 3) Zoledronic Acid Tablets 0 0.00 (150 mg acid equivalent) 0.25390.92 0.5 846.19 0.75 819.15 1 831.77 2 477.76 4 90.11 6 28.22 8 15.1012 6.13 24 3.18 48 1.84

Disodium zoledronate produced significantly higher plasma levels ofzoledronic acid than pure zoledronic acid, indicating improved oralabsorption with the salt form. Measured using peak plasma concentrations(C_(max)), the disodium salt resulted in a 119% actual and 74%weight-adjusted increase in bioavailability as compared to purezoledronic acid. Measured using area under the plasma concentrationcurve (AUC_(0-∞)), bioavailability was 84% and 46% greater with thedisodium salt than with pure zoledronic acid, on an actual andweight-adjusted basis respectively. The average AUC_(0-∞) for thedisodium salt was 4073 ng·h/mL and the average AUC_(0-∞) for the diacidwas 2217 ng·h/mL. The AUC_(0-∞) was found to be dose proportional. Thus,for beagle dogs similar to those tested, about 3 mg to about 4 mg of thedisodium salt would be expected to result in an AUC_(0-∞) of about 100ng·h/mL, and about 7 mg to about 8 mg of the disodium salt would beexpected to result in an AUC_(0-∞) of about 200 ng·h/mL.

EXAMPLE 6 Hardness of Tablets Comprising Zoledronic Acid in the FreeAcid and Disodium Salt Forms

Tablets were prepared by blending zoledronic acid, either in the form ofthe free acid or the disodium salt, with identical excipients. Fordosage forms with a greater amount of active, the amount of theexcipients was reduced proportionally to keep the weight of the tabletat about 100 mg. After blending, the ingredients were compressed atvarying pressures, followed by a film coating. The resulting tabletswere then tested for hardness using a Dr. Schleuniger Pharmatron 8MTablet Hardness Tester. The results are shown in Table 2 and FIG. 9.

TABLE 2 Compression Hardness (kPa) Force Diacid Disodium Salt DisodiumSalt (psi) 50 mg 50 mg 71 mg 800 4.0 8.7 4.8 1100 6.1 11.2 6.8 1500 7.713.7 7.4 2000 8.7 16.3 10.7 2400 8.7 11.3 3000 11.4 14.1 4400 12.5 14.95500 12.8 18.2 6100 13.0

EXAMPLE 7 Effects of Zoledronic Acid on Patients with Osteoarthritis andBML

Some embodiments related to joint pain, bone marrow lesions, andosteoarthritis were conceived as a result of analyzing data from aclinical study. Some of the results of this study were reported byLaslett et al. in Ann Rheum Dis 2012; 71:1322-1328. Some of thedescription and data reported below was not published prior to filingthe present application. Fifty-two (52) patients with clinical kneeosteoarthritis and knee bone marrow lesions (BML) were randomized toreceive either intravenous zoledronic acid (5 mg) or placebo in a doubleblind fashion. All patients had to have at least one bone marrow lesion(BML) in the affected knee on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Allpatients had x-ray of the knee for determination of joint spacenarrowing (JSN), which was graded according to the OsteoarthritisResearch Society International (OARSI) atlas. Patients had either nojoint space narrowing (OARSI Grade 0), or greater degrees of joint spacenarrowing (OARSI Grade 1 and Grade 2). Twenty six patients were treatedwith zoledronic acid (8, 6, and 12 with OARSI Grades 0, 1, and 2,respectively). Twenty six patients received placebo (8, 8, and 10 withOARSI Grades 0, 1 and 2, respectively).

Pain intensity was assessed, at baseline and at three months, using a100 mm visual analog scale (VAS), with zero representing no pain and 100representing extreme pain. The change in pain intensity from baseline to3 months was calculated.

With zoledronic acid treatment, pain was reduced significantly ascompared to placebo in patients with no joint space narrowing (OARSIGrade 0), but not in patients with joint space narrowing (OARSI Grades1-2). As shown in Table 3 and FIG. 10, average VAS scores were reducedby 15 mm as compared to placebo in the OARSI Grade 0 group, but only by0.28 as compared to placebo in patients with OARSI Grades 1-2.

In the zoledronic acid group, average VAS scores at 3 months decreasedfrom baseline by approximately 25 mm and 21 mm in patients with OARSIGrades 0 and 1, respectively, but only by 9 mm in the OARSI Grade 2patients (FIG. 11).

TABLE 3 Change in VAS Pain Scores at Three Months by OARSI Grade (mm)OARSI Grade 0 OARSI Grades 1-2 Zoledronic Acid −24.6 −13.2 Placebo −9.6−12.9 Difference from Placebo −15.0 −0.28

With zoledronic acid treatment, pain was reduced significantly ascompared to placebo in patients with baseline VAS pain intensity scoresof 50 mm or greater, but not in patients with baseline VAS scores lessthan 50 mm. As shown in Table 4, average VAS scores were reduced by 9 mmas compared to placebo in the patients with baseline VAS≧50 mm, but onlyby 0.6 as compared to placebo in patients with baseline VAS<50 mm.

TABLE 4 Change in VAS Pain Scores at Three Months by Baseline VAS (mm)Baseline Baseline VAS ≧ 50 mm VAS < 50 mm Zoledronic Acid −26.2 −7.3Placebo −17.2 −6.7 Difference from Placebo −9.0 −0.6

As summarized in Table 5 and illustrated in FIG. 12, pain reduction wasgreater in patients with baseline VAS≧50 mm, greater still in patientswith OARSI Grade 0 joint space narrowing, and greatest in patients withboth baseline VAS≧50 mm and OARSI Grade 0 joint space narrowing.

TABLE 5 Pain Reduction Compared to Placebo at Three Months (mm) VASChange All patients −4.8 Baseline VAS ≧ 50 mm −9.0 OARSI Grade 0 −15.0Baseline VAS ≧ 50 mm + OARSI Grade 0 −19.4

BMLs were evaluated using proton density-weighted fat saturation MRimages. BMLs were scored using Osiris software (University of Geneva,Geneva, Switzerland). The maximum size was measured in mm² usingsoftware cursors applied to the greatest area of each lesion. The lesionwith the highest score was used if more than one was present at the samesite. Each patient was given a BML score (mm²) at each of the four sites(medial tibial, medial femoral, lateral tibial, and lateral femoralsites) and these were summed to create a total BML score (mm²). Thechange in the total area of BMLs from baseline to 6 months wascalculated.

The size of BMLs was reduced with zoledronic acid treatment. As shown inFIG. 13 and Table 6, average BML area decreased by approximately 190 mm²as compared to placebo in the OARSI Grade 0 group, but only byapproximately 33 mm² as compared to placebo in patients with OARSIGrades 1-2.

TABLE 6 Change in BML Size (mm²) OARSI Grade 0 OARSI Grades 1-2Zoledronic Acid −244 −117 Placebo −55 −84 Difference from Placebo −190−33

EXAMPLE 8

Methods

A study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a single intravenousinfusion of 5 mg ZA in comparison with intravenous placebo infusionamong patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) and Modic changes onMRI. This study was a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlledclinical trial in patients with low back pain (LBP). Patients wereincluded in the study if they had low back symptoms for at least threemonths, a LBP of at least six (6) on a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS)or an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of at least 30%, and an M1, mixedM1/2 or M2 type change on MRI performed within six months at most priorto enrolment.

Patients were excluded from the study if they had renal impairment withreduced creatinine clearance defined as an estimated glomerularfiltration rate (eGFR) below 40 ml/min, hypocalcemia, knownhypersensitivity to zoledronic acid or other bisphosphonates oringredients of the infusion product, the presence of red flags, nerveroot entrapment or willingness for early retirement. Premenopausal womenof childbearing potential were also excluded. Blood samples were takenprior to the infusion to assess the serum concentration of calcium andcreatinine. The clinical examination included medical history andclinical assessment of lumbar flexibility, tendon signs, and motor andsensory testing.

After confirmation of eligibility patients were randomized to receive asingle intravenous infusion of 5 mg zoledronic acid (n=20) or 100 mlsaline as placebo (n=20) over a 15-minute period. Information on use ofthe concomitant medication and hospital admissions were recorded. Bloodsamples were taken for the assessment of safety, inflammatory mediatorsand markers of bone turnover at baseline, one month and one year.

Clinical assessments were performed 14 days before enrolment (screeningvisit), and follow-up visits at one month and one year after theinfusion. The primary outcome was the change in the intensity of LBP onVAS. Secondary outcomes included leg pain intensity, ODI, health-relatedquality of life assessed with RAND-36, patient-reported sick leaves andlumbar flexibility. These outcome measures were assessed at baseline andat each follow-up. Lumbar flexibility was evaluated using thefingers-to-floor and trunk side bending measures (in cm). The percentageof patients undergoing a 20% relative improvement, the proportion ofpatients reaching a VAS score of 40 or less in the primary outcome, andpatient acceptable symptom state (PASS) were also assessed. Painmedication use was inquired about during the follow-up visits.

Results

Zoledronic acid treatment resulted in a greater improvement in LBPintensity at one month as compared to placebo treatment. Furthermore,the patients receiving zoledronic acid reported NSAID use at one yearsignificantly less often than those in the placebo group. Overall, theimprovements in most of the evaluated parameters were greater in thezoledronic acid group throughout the follow-up period.

The clinical characteristics of study participants at baseline aredisplayed in Table 6. The mean LBP duration was 293 days, initial LBPintensity on VAS 6.7, leg pain on VAS 2.9 and the ODI score was 32%.Altogether 19 patients in the ZA group and 18 in the placebo group had aM1/2 lesion. Modic changes were most commonly (70%) situated at L4/5 orL5/S1. The zoledronic acid and placebo groups were similar as regardsthe demographic and background characteristics of all patients atbaseline (Table 6).

The mean difference (MD) between the treatment groups in the primaryoutcome, intensity of LBP, significantly favored zoledronic acid at onemonth (MD 1.4; 95% CI 0.01 to 2.9) while at one year no significantdifference was observed (MD 0.7; 95% CI −1.0 to 2.4; Table 7). Theproportion of patients with at least 20% improvement in intensity of LBPand PASS both favored the zoledronic acid treatment at one month:zoledronic acid 55% vs. placebo 25% (p=0.105) and zoledronic acid 50%vs. placebo 20% (p=0.096), respectively.

For the patients who were treated with zoledronic acid, the reduction inpain intensity was greater in those with greater baseline pain intensityas shown in Table 9. The mean reduction in pain from baseline was 3.4for patients with baseline pain intensity≧7, as compared to a reductionof only 0.1 for patients with a baseline pain intensity<6.

Of the secondary outcomes, the improvement in ODI, favored zoledronicacid at 1 month, the adjusted between-group difference being 6.0% (95%CI −0.6 to 13), but not at one year (Table 7). Similarly, side bending(to right and left) favored the zoledronic acid treatment at one monthbut not at one year (Table 7). Changes in total RAND-36, and in thephysical and mental components of RAND-36 are shown in Table 8.

At baseline, there were no differences in self-reported use ofnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) between the treatmentgroups, whereas at one year, only 20% of patients in the ZA group usedNSAIDs versus 60% in the placebo group.

TABLE 6 Baseline characteristics of study population according totreatment group Zoledronic Acid Pacebo Characteristics n = 20 n = 20Sex, n (%) men 15 (75) 11 (55) Age, mean (SD) years 49 (9.3) 51 (7.3)Smoking, n (%) regular smokers* 5 (25) 6 (30) BMI, mean (SD) kg/m 26(3.3) 27 (3.2) Workload, n (%) Sedentary work with limited 4 (20) 4 (22)walking Fairly light work with considerable 4 (20) 3 (17) walking but nolifting or carrying heavy objects Fairly strenuous work with walking 8(40) 6 (33) and lifting heaving objects or climbing stairs or uphillVery strenuous work with lifting or 4 (20) 5 (28) carrying heavingobjects such as shoveling, digging, or hammering Type of worstMC-lesion**, n Type I 1 1 Type I/II 19  18  Type II 0 1 MC at two ormore levels, n (%) 7 (3.5) 4 (20) Levels of MC, n L2/3 4 0 L3/4 3 5 L4/56 5 L5/S1 7 10  Duration of LBP, median (IQ 330 (200, 365) 315 (270,365) range) days Intensity of LBP, mean (SD)*** 6.6 (1.4) 6.8 (1.6)Duration of leg pain, median (IQ 50 (0, 100) 36 (0, 160) range) daysIntensity of leg pain, mean 3.0 (3.1) 2.9 (2.3) (SD)*** OswestryDisability Index, %, 30 (11) 35 (10) Mean (SD) Duration of sick leaveduring the 14 (0, 48) 18 (1, 181) past year, median (IQ range) daysRAND-36, mean (SD) 50 (8) 50 (7) RAND-36 physical component, 51 (8) 49(8) mean (SD) RAND-36 mental component, 51 (8) 49 (9) mean (SD) BMI =Body Mass Index, MC = Modic Change, LBP = low back pain, SD = standarddeviation, IQ = inter-quartile. *Smoking at least one cigarette per day.**If different types of MC at two or more levels, classification isbased on the assumed severity of the type, i.e., Type I > mixed TypeI/II > Type II. ***Assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

TABLE 7 Low back symptoms and lumbar flexibility at baseline, one monthand 12 months according to treatment group and between group comparisonsof difference from baseline to one month and 12 months Mean (SD)original Unadjusted Adjusted values Mean (SD) analyses analyses ZAPlacebo change Difference Difference n = 20 n = 20 ZA Placebo (95% CI) P(95% CI) P* Intensity of LBP Baseline 6.6 (1.4) 6.8 (1.6)  1 mo. 4.3(2.3) 5.8 (2.2) −2.2 (2.7) −0.9 (2.1) 1.3 (−0.2 to 2.8) 0.097 1.4 (0.01to 2.9) 0.049 12 mos. 3.8 (2.5) 4.6 (2.9) −2.8 (2.9) −2.2 (2.5) 0.6(−1.1 to 2.4) 0.474 0.7 (−1.0 to 2.4) 0.387 Intensity of leg pain^(a)Baseline 3.0 (3.1) 2.9 (2.3)  1 mo. 2.0 (2.3) 3.0 (2.4) −0.6 (2.4) 0.1(2.6) 0.8 (−0.9 to 2.4) 0.367 0.8 (−0.6 to 2.2) 0.237 12 mos. 2.1 (2.8)2.7 (2.6) −0.9 (3.4) −0.3 (3.0) 0.6 (−1.5 to 2.7) 0.573 0.5 (−1.3 to2.2) 0.573 Oswestry disability index, % Baseline 30 (11) 35 (10)  1 mo.24 (10) 33 (13) −5.9 (11) −1.7 (9.7) 4.3 (−2.5 to 11) 0.212 6.0 (−0.6 to13) 0.071 12 mos. 25 (13) 33 (15) −5.0 (15) −1.9 (12) 3.1 (−5.6 to 12)0.475 5.1 (−3.4 to 14) 0.231 Fingers-to-floor, cm Baseline 23 (19) 19(18)  1 mo. 17 (17) 19 (17) −5.1 (20) −0.1 (8.3) 5.0 (−4.8 to 15) 0.3063.6 (−5.0 to 12) 0.403 12 mos. 16 (16) 20 (19) −6.3 (23) 0.9 (11) 7.1(−4.3 to 18) 0.215 5.3 (−4.5 to 15) 0.277 Sidebending to right, cmBaseline 14.1 (4.9) 13.8 (7.2)  1 mo. 15.7 (5.9) 13.3 (6.9) 1.5 (4.7)−0.5 (2.2) −2.0 (−4.3 to 0.4) 0.101 −2.0 (−4.4 to 0.3) 0.087 12 mos.15.7 (5.6) 13.8 (6.5) 1.6 (4.8) −0.1 (3.5) −1.6 (−4.3 to 1.1) 0.227 −1.7(−4.2 to 0.8) 0.180 Sidebending to left, cm Baseline 15.0 (5.4) 13.3(5.5)  1 mo. 16.1 (5.3) 12.8 (5.9) 1.1 (3.0) −0.5 (2.2) −1.5 (−3.2 to0.1) 0.072 −1.7 (−3.4 to 0.0) 0.051 12 mos. 16.2 (6.7) 13.7 (5.7) 1.2(5.3) 0.5 (3.2) −0.7 (−3.5 to 2.1) 0.601 −1.0 (−3.8 to 1.8) 0.458 SD =standard deviation, CI = confidence interval, ZA = zoledronic acid, LBP= low back pain. *ANCOVA: Difference between follow-up and baseline,treatment effect adjusted for baseline value. ^(a)One subject missing atbaseline in placebo group and in ZA group, and one subject at 1 month inZA group.

TABLE 8 Health-related quality of life assessed using RAND-36 atbaseline, one month, and 12 months according to treatment group andbetween group comparisons of difference from baseline to one month and12 months Mean (SD) Unadjusted Adjusted original values Mean (SD)analyses analyses ZA Placebo change Difference Difference n = 20 n = 20ZA Placebo (95% CI) P (95% CI) P* Total RAND-36 Baseline 50 (8) 50 (7) 1 mo. 51 (8) 49 (8) 0.6 (6.4) −0.6 (5.0) 1.2 (−3 to 5) 0.530 1.3 (−3 to5) 0.477 12 mos. 51 (8) 49 (9) 1.0 (8.7) −1.0 (5.9) 2.1 (−3 to 7) 0.3782.2 (−2 to 7) 0.314 Physical component Baseline 52 (8) 48 (8)  1 mo. 52(9) 48 (8) 0.1 (8.6) −0.1 (5.5) 0.3 (−4 to 5) 0.897 1.3 (−3 to 6) 0.55412 mos. 52 (8) 48 (2) 0.3 (10)  −0.3 (6.5) 0.7 (−5 to 6) 0.808 2.1 (−3to 7) 0.405 Mental component Baseline 49 (9) 51 (8)  1 mo. 50 (9) 50 (9)1.0 (6.1) −1.0 (5.6) 2.0 (−2 to 6) 0.286 1.6 (−2 to 5) 0.396 12 mos. 51(9) 49 (9) 1.8 (9.0) −1.8 (6.7) 3.5 (−2 to 9) 0.167 2.7 (−2 to 7) 0.261SD = standard deviation, CI = confidence interval, ZA = zoledronic acid.*ANCOVA: Difference between follow-up and baseline, treatment effectadjusted for baseline value.

TABLE 9 Pain Reduction in Patients Treated Zoledronic Acid (cm) VASChange from Baseline Baseline VAS < 6 −0.1 Baseline VAS ≧ 6 and <7 −2.3Baseline VAS ≧ 7 −3.4

EXAMPLE 9

Methods:

A study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of bisphosphonates suchas oral zoledronic acid in inhibiting immune responses and pain behaviorin a rat fracture model of CRPS.

The effect of orally administered zoledronic acid was examined in therat tibia fracture model of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). CRPSwas induced in the rats by fracturing the right distal tibias of theanimals and casting the fractured hindpaws for 4 weeks, as described inGuo T Z et al. (Pain. 2004; 108: 95-107). This animal model has beenshown to replicate the inciting trauma (such as a fracture, a surgery, acrushing injury, a cutting injury, a scratch, or a puncture injury),natural history, signs, symptoms, and pathologic changes observed inhuman CRPS patients (Kingery W S et al., Pain. 2003; 104:75-84).

Starting four weeks after fracture and casting, animals were orallyadministered either vehicle (control) or zoledronic acid, a dose of 21mg/kg on the first day and 3 mg/kg/day daily thereafter, or distilledwater for 3 weeks (weeks 4-7 post-fracture). Drug was dissolved indistilled water and administered by gavage. Animals were fasted for 4hours before and 2 hours after dosing. At the end of the 21-day period,casts were removed, and on the following day, the rats were tested forhindpaw pain, edema, and warmth.

Results

As illustrated in FIGS. 14-15, treatment with orally administeredzoledronic acid reversed pain and restored weight bearing as compared tothe vehicle treated animals.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, von Frey pain thresholds for the right(fracture) hindpaw were reduced by over 100% as compared to baselinewhen oral zoledronic acid was administered.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, reduction in weight bearing, a posturaleffect of pain, was significantly higher in the vehicle treated group ascompared to the zoledronic acid treated group. Weight bearing on thefracture hindlimb was reduced to about 80% of normal in the vehicletreated group. Zoledronate treatment significantly restored hindlimbweight bearing as compared to vehicle treatment (over 90% of normal).

As can be seen in FIG. 16, orally administering zoledronic acid fourweeks after the fracture resulted in significantly greater improvementof pain relief as compared to administration at the time of injury.

EXAMPLE 10

1,3-Bis(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (9). Methylchloroacetate (29.8 mL, 338.6 mmol, 2.0 eq) was added drop-wise to1-(trimethylsilyl)-1H-imidazole (8; 25.0 mL, 169.3 mmol). The mixturewas heated at 60° C. for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled to roomtemperature, washed with Et₂O (3×500 mL) and dried in vacuo yielding 9(41.97 g, 168.8 mmol, 99.7%) as a white solid.

1,3-Bis(carboxymethyl)1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (10). To1,3-bis(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (9; 41.00 g,164.88 mmol, 1 eq.) was added 37% aq. HCl (30.03 mL, 362.74 mmol, 2.2eq.). The mixture was stirred under reflux for 0.5 hour. The mixture wasconcentrated and the remaining solid was washed with acetone (2×200 mL)and Et₂O (3×200 mL). Drying in vacuo gave 10 (31.89 g, 144.55 mmol,87.7%) as a white solid.

Compound 1:

Compound 10 is reacted with an equimolar amount of phosphorous acid,followed by an equimolar amount of phosphorous trichloride, and anexcess of water to form Compound 1, which is precipitated from ethanol.

Compound 2:

1,3-Bis(carboxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride (10, 2.00 g, 9 mmol,1.0 eq) and H₃PO₃ (7.37 g, 90 mmol, 10 eq) were dissolved in toluene (10mL) and heated to 70° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at thistemperature for 20 min before PCl₃ (16 mL, 180 mmol, 20 eq) was addedwithin 30 min. The reaction mixture was then heated to 95° C. andstirred at this temperature for 2 h. Then, aq. HCl (30 mL, 37% HCl and 5mL H₂O) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. andstirred at this temperature for 7 h, then stirred at room temperaturefor 2 days and filtered. The filtrate was cooled in an ice bath andadded within 45 min to absolute EtOH (90 mL). The resulting turbidsolution was stirred for 1 h at room temperature before the solid wasfiltered off. The filter cake (Compound 2) was isolated and analyzed by2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (m/z=477). The filtrate wasconcentrated in vacuo to give a residue. This residue (500 mg) wastreated with aq. NaOH (150 mg in 3.5 mL of H₂O) and EtOH (7 mL). Afterstanding overnight the liquid was decanted and the resulting solid (Nasalt of Compound 2) was obtained and analyzed by NMR and massspectrometry (m/z=477).

The following embodiments are specifically contemplated:

Embodiment 1. A method of relieving inflammatory pain comprisingadministering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acid to a mammalin need thereof, wherein the mammal receives a total monthly dose ofzoledronic acid that is about 800 mg/m² or less based upon the bodysurface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the mammal is a humanbeing that receives a total monthly dose of zoledronic acid that isabout 30 mg/m² to about 700 mg/m².

Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the total monthly doseis administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses.

Embodiment 4. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the total monthly doseis administered in 28 to 31 daily doses.

Embodiment 5. The method of embodiment 2, wherein the total monthly doseis administered in 5 to 10 individual doses during the month.

Embodiment 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the mammal is a humanbeing that receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that is about10 mg to about 300 mg.

Embodiment 7. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the total weekly doseis a single dose, administered once a week.

Embodiment 8. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the total weekly doseis administered in 2 to 7 individual doses during the week.

Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the mammal is a humanbeing that receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that is about10 mg to about 150 mg.

Embodiment 10. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein themammal experiences significant pain relief more than 3 hours afteradministration of the dosage form.

Embodiment 11. The method of embodiment 10, wherein the mammalexperiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a timefrom about 3 hours to about 24 hours after administration of the dosageform.

Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 10, wherein the mammalexperiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a timefrom about 3 hours to about 3 weeks after administration of the dosageform.

Embodiment 13. A method of relieving inflammatory pain comprisingadministering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acid to a mammalin need thereof, wherein the oral dosage form contains about 10 mg/m² toabout 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acid based upon the body surface area ofthe mammal.

Embodiment 14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the oral dosage formcontains about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acid based uponthe body surface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 15. A method of relieving inflammatory pain comprising orallyadministering to a mammal in need thereof, about 300 mg/m² to about 600mg/m² of zoledronic acid per month to the mammal, based upon the bodysurface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 15, comprising orallyadministering about 450 mg/m² to about 600 mg/m² of zoledronic acid permonth to the mammal, based upon the body surface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 17. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein themammal is not suffering from bone metastasis.

Embodiment 18. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein themammal is not suffering from cancer.

Embodiment 19. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein thezoledronic acid is administered as a salt of a dianion of zoledronicacid.

Embodiment 20. A method of relieving pain associated with an arthritiscomprising administering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acidto a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 21. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the human beingreceives a total monthly dose of zoledronic acid that is about 40 mg toabout 2000 mg.

Embodiment 22. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the total monthlydose is administered in 4 or 5 weekly doses.

Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the total monthlydose is administered in 28 to 31 daily doses.

Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 21, wherein the total monthlydose is administered in 5 to 10 individual doses during the month.

Embodiment 25. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the human beingreceives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that is about 100 mg toabout 300 mg.

Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the total weeklydose is a single dose, administered once a week.

Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 25, wherein the total weeklydose is administered in 2 to 7 individual doses during the week.

Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the human beingreceives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that is about 10 mg toabout 100 mg.

Embodiment 29. The method of any of embodiments 20-28, wherein the humanbeing experiences significant pain relief more than 3 hours afteradministration of the dosage form.

Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the human beingexperiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a timefrom about 3 hours to about 24 hours after administration of the dosageform.

Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the human beingexperiences significant pain relief during at least a part of a timefrom about 3 hours to about 3 weeks after administration of the dosageform.

Embodiment 32. The method of any of embodiments 20-31, wherein thedosage form contains about 10 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acidbased upon the body surface area of the human being.

Embodiment 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the dosage formcontains about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acid based uponthe body surface area of the human being.

Embodiment 34. The method of any of embodiments 20-33, wherein about 50mg/m² to about 200 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is orally administered permonth, based upon the body surface area of the human being.

Embodiment 35. The method of any of embodiments 20-31, wherein thedosage form contains about 80 mg/m² to about 150 mg/m² of zoledronicacid based upon the body surface area of the human being.

Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein about 300 mg/m² toabout 1000 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is orally administered per month,based upon the body surface area of the human being.

Embodiment 37. The method of any of embodiments 20-36, wherein the humanbeing is not suffering from bone metastasis.

Embodiment 38. The method of any of embodiments 20-37, wherein the humanbeing is not suffering from cancer.

Embodiment 39. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein thezoledronic acid is in the disodium salt form.

Embodiment 40. An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid, whereinthe oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form is about0.01% to about 4%.

Embodiment 41. The oral dosage form of embodiment 40, wherein the oraldosage form contains about 10 mg to about 300 mg of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 42. The oral dosage form of embodiment 40, wherein the oraldosage form contains about 10 mg to about 50 mg of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 43. The oral dosage form of any of embodiments 40-42, whereinthe oral bioavailability of zoledronic acid in the dosage form is about0.1% to about 2%.

Embodiment 44. A pharmaceutical product comprising more than one unit ofan oral dosage form of embodiment 40.

Embodiment 45. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 44, wherein eachunit of the oral dosage form contains about 1 mg to about 50 mg ofzoledronic acid.

Embodiment 46. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 45, comprising28, 29, 30, or 31 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 28mg to about 1600 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 1month.

Embodiment 47. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 45, comprising85 to 95 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 85 mg toabout 4800 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 3 months.

Embodiment 48. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 45, comprising170 to 200 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 170 mg toabout 10,000 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 6 months.

Embodiment 49. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 45, comprising350 to 380 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 350 mg toabout 19,000 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 1 year.

Embodiment 50. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 44, wherein eachunit of the oral dosage form contains about 10 mg to about 300 mg.

Embodiment 51. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 50, comprising 4or 5 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 40 mg to about1500 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered within a period of about 1month.

Embodiment 52. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 50, comprising 8or 9 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 80 mg to about2700 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 2 months.

Embodiment 53. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 50, comprising12, 13 or 14 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 120 mgto about 4200 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 3months.

Embodiment 54. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 50, comprising22 to 30 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 220 mg toabout 9000 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 6 months.

Embodiment 55. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 50, comprising45 to 60 units of the oral dosage form, for a total of about 450 mg toabout 18000 mg of zoledronic acid to be administered in about 1 year.

Embodiment 56. The pharmaceutical product of embodiment 44, comprising 1to 10 units of the oral dosage form, wherein the product contains about200 mg to about 2000 mg of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 57. The oral dosage form of any preceding embodiment, whereinthe zoledronic acid is in the form of a sodium salt.

Embodiment 58. The oral dosage form of any preceding embodiment, whereinthe zoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueous solubility greaterthan 1% (w/v).

Embodiment 59. The oral dosage form of any preceding embodiment, whereinthe zoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueous solubility of about5% (w/v) to about 50% (w/v).

Embodiment 60. An oral dosage form comprising zoledronic acid and anexcipient, wherein the zoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueoussolubility greater than 1% (w/v).

Embodiment 61. The oral dosage form of embodiment 60, wherein thezoledronic acid is in a form that has an aqueous solubility of about 5%(w/v) to about 50% (w/v).

Embodiment 62. A method of treating complex regional pain syndromecomprising administering an oral dosage form containing zoledronic acidto a mammal in need thereof.

Embodiment 63. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the mammal is ahuman being that receives an amount of zoledronic acid that is about 30mg/m² to about 700 mg/m² in a period of one month or less.

Embodiment 64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein 4 or 5 weekly dosesare administered in a period of one month or less.

Embodiment 65. The method of embodiment 63, wherein 28 to 31 daily dosesare administered in a period of one month or less.

Embodiment 66. The method of embodiment 63, wherein 5 to 10 individualdoses are administered during a period of one month or less.

Embodiment 67. The method of embodiment 63, wherein about 30 mg/m² toabout 700 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is administered during only onemonth.

Embodiment 68. The method of embodiment 63, wherein about 30 mg/m² toabout 700 mg/m² of zoledronic acid is administered in a period of onemonth or less for 2 or more consecutive months.

Embodiment 69. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the mammal receivesabout 10 mg/m² to about 30 mg/m² of zoledronic acid daily.

Embodiment 70. The method of embodiment 62, wherein the mammal is ahuman being that receives a total weekly dose of zoledronic acid that isabout 10 mg to about 300 mg.

Embodiment 71. The method of embodiment 70, wherein the total weeklydose is a single dose, administered once a week.

Embodiment 72. The method of embodiment 70, wherein the total weeklydose is administered in 2 to 7 individual doses during the week.

Embodiment 73. The method of any of embodiments 62-72, wherein thecomplex regional pain syndrome is complex regional pain syndrome type I.

Embodiment 74. The method of any of embodiments 62-72, wherein thecomplex regional pain syndrome is complex regional pain syndrome typeII.

Embodiment 75. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein thezoledronic acid is in a salt form.

Embodiment 76. The method of any of embodiments 62-75, wherein thedosage form contains about 10 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acidbased upon the body surface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 77. The method of embodiment 76, wherein the dosage formcontains about 15 mg/m² to about 20 mg/m² of zoledronic acid based uponthe body surface area of the mammal.

Embodiment 78. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering pamidronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 79. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering neridronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 80. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering olpadronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 81. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering alendronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 82. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering incadronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 83. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering ibandronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 84. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering risedronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 85. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringpamidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 86. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringneridronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 87. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringolpadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 88. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringalendronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 89. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringincadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 90. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringibandronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 91. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringrisedronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 92. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering pamidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 93. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering neridronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 94. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering olpadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 95. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering alendronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 96. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering incadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 97. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering ibandronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 98. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering risedronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 99. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering pamidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 100. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering neridronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 101. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering olpadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 102. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering alendronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 103. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering incadronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 104. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering ibandronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 105. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering risedronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 106. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering etidronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 107. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringetidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 108. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering etidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 109. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering etidronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 110. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering clodronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 111. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringclodronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 112. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering clodronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 113. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering clodronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 114. A method of treating complex regional pain syndrome,comprising administering tiludronic acid to a human being in needthereof.

Embodiment 115. A method of treating pain, comprising administeringtiludronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 116. A method of treating arthritis pain, comprisingadministering tiludronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 117. A method of treating inflammatory pain, comprisingadministering tiludronic acid to a human being in need thereof.

Embodiment 118. The method of any of embodiments 78-117, wherein theactive compound is orally administered.

Embodiment 119. The method of any of embodiments 78-117, wherein theactive compound is parenterally administered.

Embodiment 120. A method of enhancing the oral bioavailability ofzoledronic acid comprising orally administering a dosage form containingzoledronic acid in the disodium salt form.

Embodiment 121. The method of embodiment 120, wherein the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form provides an enhancement tobioavailability, as compared to zoledronic acid in the diacid form,which adds to any enhancement to bioavailability provided by anybioavailability-enhancing agents in the dosage form.

Embodiment 122. The method of embodiment 120, wherein the dosage form issubstantially free of bioavailability-enhancing agents.

Embodiment 123. The method of embodiment 120, wherein the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form is administered to a mammal in an amountthat provides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronicacid of about 4 ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL to the mammal each timethe zoledronic acid in the disodium salt is administered.

Embodiment 124. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form is administered at an interval of about 3to about 4 weeks in an amount that provides an area under the plasmaconcentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 100 ng·h/mL to about2000 ng·h/mL to the mammal each time the zoledronic acid in the disodiumsalt form is administered.

Embodiment 125. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form is administered weekly, or 3 to 5 timesin a month, in an amount that provides an area under the plasmaconcentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 20 ng·h/mL to about 700ng·h/mL to the mammal each time the zoledronic acid in the disodium saltform is administered.

Embodiment 126. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the zoledronicacid in the disodium salt form is administered daily in an amount thatprovides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acidof about 4 ng·h/mL to about 100 ng·h/mL to the mammal each time thezoledronic acid in the disodium salt form is administered.

Embodiment 127. The method of embodiment 120, wherein the dosage form isa solid.

Embodiment 128. The method of embodiment 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125,126, or 127, wherein the bioavailability of zoledronic acid is improvedby at least about 20% as compared to administration of zoledronic acidin the diacid form.

Embodiment 129. The method of embodiment 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125,126, 127, or 128, further comprising administering, on a molar basis,less of the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form than would beadministered of zoledronic acid in the diacid form in order to achievethe same plasma levels of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 130. The method of embodiment 129, wherein at least about 10mole % less of the disodium salt form is administered as compared theamount of zoledronic acid in the diacid form that would be administeredin order to achieve the same plasma levels of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 131. The method of embodiment 129, wherein the disodium saltform is administered in an amount, on a molar basis, that has a value ofabout 0.8n_(d) to about 1.2n_(d), wherein:n _(d)=(b _(a) /b _(d))(n _(a))wherein b_(a) is the bioavailability of the diacid form, b_(d) is thebioavailability of the disodium salt form, and n_(a) is the number ofmoles of zoledronic acid in the diacid form that would be administeredin order to achieve the same plasma levels of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 132. The method of embodiment 131, wherein the disodium saltis administered in an amount that has a value of about n_(d).

Embodiment 133. The method of any of embodiments 120-132, wherein thezoledronic acid is used to treat an inflammatory condition.

Embodiment 134. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the zoledronicacid is used to treat arthritis.

Embodiment 135. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the zoledronicacid is used to treat complex regional pain syndrome.

Embodiment 136. The method of any of embodiments 1-39, 62-77, and120-135, wherein:

a first oral dosage form is administered; and

a second oral dosage form is administered;

wherein, with respect to the first oral dosage form, the second oraldosage form is administered at 10×T_(max) or greater, wherein T_(max) isthe time of maximum plasma concentration for the first oral dosage form.

Embodiment 137. A dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the disodiumsalt form, wherein the bioavailability, in a mammal, of zoledronic acidin the disodium salt form is greater than the bioavailability ofzoledronic acid in the diacid form would be in the same dosage form.

Embodiment 138. A dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the disodiumsalt form, wherein the dosage form contains an amount of zoledronic acidin the disodium salt form that provides an area under the plasmaconcentration curve of zoledronic acid of about 4 ng·h/mL to about 2000ng·h/mL to a human being to which the dosage form is administered.

Embodiment 139. The dosage form of embodiment 138, wherein the dosageform contains an amount of zoledronic acid in the disodium salt formthat provides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronicacid of about 100 ng·h/mL to about 2000 ng·h/mL to a human being towhich the dosage form is administered.

Embodiment 140. The dosage form of embodiment 138, wherein the dosageform contains an amount of zoledronic acid in the disodium salt formthat provides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronicacid of about 20 ng·h/mL to about 700 ng·h/mL to a human being to whichthe dosage form is administered.

Embodiment 141. The dosage form of embodiment 138, wherein the dosageform contains an amount of zoledronic acid in the disodium salt formthat provides an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronicacid of about 4 ng·h/mL to about 100 ng·h/mL to a human being to whichthe dosage form is administered.

Embodiment 142. A dosage form comprising zoledronic acid in the disodiumsalt form,

wherein the disodium salt form is present in a lower molar amount thanwould be present if the zoledronic acid were in the diacid form; and

wherein the zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form has an improvedbioavailability as compared to the zoledronic acid in the diacid form tothe extent that the lower molar amount of the disodium salt in thedosage form does not reduce the amount of zoledronic acid delivered tothe plasma of a mammal.

Embodiment 143. The dosage form of embodiment 137, 138, 139, 140, 141,or 142, wherein the dosage form is a solid.

Embodiment 144. The dosage form of embodiment 142 or 143, wherein thebioavailability of zoledronic acid in the disodium salt form is improvedby at least about 10% as compared to an otherwise identical dosage formcontaining zoledronic acid in the diacid form.

Embodiment 145. The dosage form of embodiment 142, 143, or 144,containing at least about 20 mole % less of the disodium salt form ascompared to the amount of the zoledronic acid in the diacid form thatwould be present if the zoledronic acid were in the diacid form.

Embodiment 146. The dosage form of embodiment 142, wherein the disodiumsalt form is present in an amount, on a molar basis, that has a value ofabout 0.9nd to about 1.1nd, wherein:n _(d)=(b _(a) /b _(d))(n _(a))wherein b_(a) is the bioavailability of the diacid form, b_(d) is thebioavailability of the disodium salt form, and n_(a) is the number ofmoles of the diacid form that would be present if the zoledronic acidwere in the diacid form.

Embodiment 147. The dosage form of embodiment 146, wherein the disodiumsalt is administered in an amount that has a value of about n_(d).

Embodiment 148. The method of any of embodiments 1-39, 62-77, and120-136, wherein:

only a single oral dosage form is administered; or

a first oral dosage form is administered, and a second oral dosage formis administered after the first oral dosage form, wherein the secondoral dosage form is administered before the maximum pain relievingeffect of the first oral dosage form is achieved, or the second oraldosage form is administered before an observable pain relieving effectis achieved.

Embodiment 149. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the second oraldosage form is administered before an observable pain relieving effectis achieved.

Embodiment 150. The method of any of embodiments 1-39, 62-77, and120-132, wherein a first dosage form is administered, followed byadministration of a second dosage form, wherein the second dosage formis administered after the maximum pain relieving effect of the firstoral dosage form is achieved, and the second oral dosage form isadministered while a pain relieving effect from the first oral dosageform is observable.

Embodiment 151. The method of embodiment 148, 149, or 150, wherein thesecond oral dosage form is administered about 24 hours to about 28 daysafter the first oral dosage form is administered.

Embodiment 152. The method of any of embodiments 20-39, wherein thehuman being is about 30 years old to about 75 years old.

Embodiment 153. The method of any of embodiments 20-39, wherein thehuman being is about 1 year old to about 16 years old.

Embodiment 154. The method of any of embodiments 20-39, wherein thehuman being is about 80 years old to about 95 years old.

Embodiment 155. The method of any of embodiments 20-39, wherein thehuman being has suffered from the arthritis for at least 2 months.

Embodiment 156. The method of any of embodiments 20-39, wherein thearthritis affects, a knee, an elbow, a wrist, a shoulder, or a hip.

Embodiment 157. The method of any of embodiments 1-44, 62-133, and144-156, wherein the mammal or human being to which the zoledronic acidis administered does not eat food or drink beverage for at least 1 hourbefore the zoledronic acid is administered.

Embodiment 158. The method of embodiment 157, wherein the mammal orhuman being to which the zoledronic acid is administered does not eatfood or drink beverage for at least 2 hours before the zoledronic acidis administered.

Embodiment 159. The method of embodiment 158, wherein the mammal orhuman being to which the zoledronic acid is administered does not eatfood or drink beverage for at least 4 hours before the zoledronic acidis administered.

Embodiment 160. The method of embodiment 159, wherein the mammal orhuman being to which the zoledronic acid is administered does not eatfood or drink beverage for at least 6 hours before the zoledronic acidis administered.

Embodiment 161. The method of any of embodiments 157-160, wherein themammal or human being to which the zoledronic acid is administered doesnot eat food or drink beverage for at least 30 minutes after thezoledronic acid is administered.

Embodiment 162. The method of embodiment 161, wherein the mammal orhuman being to which the zoledronic acid is administered does not eatfood or drink beverage for at least 1 hour after the zoledronic acid isadministered.

Embodiment 163. The method of embodiment 161, where in the mammal orhuman being to which the zoledronic acid is administered does not eatfood or drink beverage for at least 2 hours after the zoledronic acid isadministered.

Embodiment 164. The method, dosage form, or product, of any precedingembodiment, wherein the zoledronic acid in the oral dosage form has a 24hour sustained plasma level factor of about 1 or higher.

Embodiment 165. The method, dosage form, or product, of any precedingembodiment, wherein the zoledronic acid in the oral dosage form has a 24hour sustained plasma level factor that is higher than that ofintravenously administered zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 166. The method, dosage form, or product, of any precedingembodiment, wherein the oral dosage form is a solid that has a hardnessof about 5 kPa to about 20 kPa.

Embodiment 167. A method of treating bone marrow lesions comprising:selecting a patient having a bone marrow lesion and OARSI grade 0 ofjoint space narrowing, and administering an inhibitor of osteoclastactivity to the patient for the treatment of the bone marrow lesion.

Embodiment 168. The method of embodiment 167, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice.

Embodiment 169. The method of embodiment 167, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered about every three months, or morefrequently.

Embodiment 170. The method of embodiment 167, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate.

Embodiment 171. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 172. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises pamidronic acid.

Embodiment 173. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises neridronic acid.

Embodiment 174. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises olpadronic acid.

Embodiment 175. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises alendronic acid.

Embodiment 176. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises incadronic acid.

Embodiment 177. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises ibandronic acid.

Embodiment 178. The method of any one of embodiments 167-170, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises risedronic acid.

Embodiment 179. The method of any one of embodiments 167-178, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is administered orally.

Embodiment 180. The method of any one of embodiments 167-178, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is administered intravenously.

Embodiment 181. The method of any one of embodiments 167-180, whereinthe patient experiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size that isat least about 100% greater than a reduction in bone marrow lesion sizeachieved with a placebo.

Embodiment 182. The method of any one of embodiments 167-180, whereinthe patient experiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size that isat least about 150% greater than a reduction in bone marrow lesion sizeachieved with a placebo.

Embodiment 183. The method of any one of embodiments 167-182, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is administered at least twice overa period of at least four weeks.

Embodiment 184. The method of any one of embodiments 167-183, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is administered once weekly for aperiod of six weeks.

Embodiment 185. The method of any one of embodiments 167-184, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity comprises zoledronic acid, and theweekly dose is between about 25 mg and about 75 mg.

Embodiment 186. A method of treating knee pain comprising: selecting apatient having knee pain and OARSI grade 0 of joint space narrowing, andadministering an inhibitor of osteoclast activity to the patient for thetreatment of the knee pain.

Embodiment 187. The method of embodiment 186, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice.

Embodiment 188. The method of any one of embodiments 186-187, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is administered about every threemonths, or more frequently.

Embodiment 189. The method of any one of embodiments 186-188, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity comprises a nitrogen-containingbisphosphonate.

Embodiment 190. The method of any one of embodiments 186-189, whereinthe patient experiences pain relief three months after administration ofthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity.

Embodiment 191. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 192. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises pamidronic acid.

Embodiment 193. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises neridronic acid.

Embodiment 194. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises olpadronic acid.

Embodiment 195. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises alendronic acid.

Embodiment 196. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises incadronic acid.

Embodiment 197. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises ibandronic acid.

Embodiment 198. The method of any one of embodiments 186-190, whereinthe inhibitor of osteoclast activity is or comprises risedronic acid.

Embodiment 199. The method of any one of embodiments 186-198, whereinthe patient experiences a reduction in pain intensity—when using a 100mm visual analog scale—of at least about 20.

Embodiment 200. A method of treating a bone marrow lesion of the kneecomprising: selecting a patient having a bone marrow lesion of the kneeand OARSI Grade 0 or Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1 of jointspace narrowing, and administering an inhibitor of osteoclast activityto the patient for the treatment of the bone marrow lesion.

Embodiment 201. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice.

Embodiment 202. The method of embodiment 201, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered about every three months, or morefrequently.

Embodiment 203. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate.

Embodiment 204. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 205. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is pamidronic acid.

Embodiment 206. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is neridronic acid.

Embodiment 207. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is olpadronic acid.

Embodiment 208. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is minodronic acid.

Embodiment 209. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is incadronic acid.

Embodiment 210. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is ibandronic acid.

Embodiment 211. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is risedronic acid.

Embodiment 212. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is alendronic acid.

Embodiment 213. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered orally.

Embodiment 214. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered intravenously.

Embodiment 215. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the patientexperiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size that is at leastabout 15% within about 6 months after the inhibitor of osteoclastactivity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 216. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the patientexperiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size that is at leastabout 25% within about 6 months after the inhibitor of osteoclastactivity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 217. The method of embodiment 201, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice over a period of atleast four weeks.

Embodiment 218. The method of embodiment 201, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered once weekly for a period of sixweeks.

Embodiment 219. The method of embodiment 218, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises zoledronic acid, and the weekly dose isbetween about 25 mg and about 75 mg.

Embodiment 220. A method of treating knee pain comprising:

-   -   a. selecting a patient having knee pain, and:        -   i. OARSI Grade 0 or Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1            of joint space narrowing, or        -   ii. pain intensity of 5 or greater measured using the 0-10            NRS or 5 cm or greater using the 10 cm VAS; and    -   b. administering an inhibitor of osteoclast activity to the        patient.

Embodiment 221. The method of embodiment 220, comprising selecting apatient having OARSI Grade 0 or Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1of joint space narrowing.

Embodiment 222. The method of embodiment 220 or 221, comprisingselecting a patient having pain intensity of 5 or greater measured usingthe 0-10 NRS or 5 cm or greater using the 10 cm VAS.

Embodiment 223. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice.

Embodiment 224. The method of embodiment 223, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered about every three months, or morefrequently.

Embodiment 225. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate.

Embodiment 226. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the patientexperiences pain relief within about three months after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 227. The method of embodiment 226, wherein the patientexperiences pain relief at least 24 hours after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 228. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 229. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is minodronic acid.

Embodiment 230. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is neridronic acid.

Embodiment 231. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is olpadronic acid.

Embodiment 232. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is alendronic acid.

Embodiment 233. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is incadronic acid.

Embodiment 234. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is ibandronic acid.

Embodiment 235. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is risedronic acid.

Embodiment 236. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the patientexperiences a reduction in pain intensity—when using a 100 mm visualanalog scale—of at least about 5.

Embodiment 237. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice over a period of atleast four weeks.

Embodiment 238. The method of embodiment 220, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered once weekly for a period of sixweeks.

Embodiment 239. The method of embodiment 238, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises zoledronic acid, and the weekly dose isbetween about 25 mg and about 75 mg.

Embodiment 240. A method of treating moderate to severe knee paincomprising administering an inhibitor of osteoclast activity to a personsuffering from moderate to severe knee pain.

Embodiment 241. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the personsuffering from moderate to severe knee pain has a normal joint space inthe knee.

Embodiment 242. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice.

Embodiment 243. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered about every three months, or morefrequently.

Embodiment 244. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate.

Embodiment 245. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the patientexperiences pain relief within about three months after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 246. The method of embodiment 245, wherein the patientexperiences pain relief at least 24 hours after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the patient.

Embodiment 247. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 248. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is minodronic acid.

Embodiment 249. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is neridronic acid.

Embodiment 250. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is olpadronic acid.

Embodiment 251. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is alendronic acid.

Embodiment 252. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is incadronic acid.

Embodiment 253. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is ibandronic acid.

Embodiment 254. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is risedronic acid.

Embodiment 255. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the patientexperiences a reduction in pain intensity—when using a 100 mm visualanalog scale—of at least about 5.

Embodiment 256. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered at least twice over a period of atleast four weeks.

Embodiment 257. The method of embodiment 240, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered once weekly for a period of sixweeks.

Embodiment 258. The method of embodiment 257, wherein the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity comprises zoledronic acid, and the weekly dose isbetween about 25 mg and about 75 mg.

Embodiment 259. A method of safely delivering zoledronic acid to theblood of a mammal through repeated oral administration comprising:

-   -   orally administering about 0.4 mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg of        zoledronic acid to the mammal no more frequently than once a day        and more frequently than once a week; or    -   orally administering about 0.4 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg to the        mammal once a week, or less frequently.

Embodiment 260. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, wherein about 0.5 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg is orallyadministered to the mammal daily.

Embodiment 261. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 260, wherein about 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg is orallyadministered to the mammal daily.

Embodiment 262. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, wherein about 0.5 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg is orallyadministered to the mammal weekly.

Embodiment 263. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 263, wherein about 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg is orallyadministered to the mammal weekly.

Embodiment 264. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, or 263, wherein zoledronic acid is orallyadministered about 3 to about 10 times.

Embodiment 265. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, or 264, wherein zoledronic acid isorally administered in a dosage form comprising more than about 10%zoledronic acid by weight.

Embodiment 266. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, or 265, wherein zoledronic acidis administered in a manner and amount that results in the mammal havingan AUC₀₋₂₄ of zoledronic acid that is about 50 ng·h/mL to about 500ng·h/mL with each administration of zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 267. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 266, wherein zoledronic acid is administered in a manner andamount that results in the mammal having an AUC₀₋₂₄ of zoledronic acidthat is about 100 ng·h/mL to about 500 ng·h/mL with each administrationof zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 268. A method of preparing an oral dosage form that is safefor repeated administration to a mammal comprising combining zoledronicacid with an excipient that is pharmaceutically acceptable to themammal, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid that is combined with theexcipient is such that zoledronic acid is present in the oral dosageform in an amount that is 0.4 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg based upon theweight of the mammal.

Embodiment 269. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 268, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid that is combinedwith the excipient is such that the oral dosage form comprises more thanabout 10% zoledronic acid by weight.

Embodiment 270. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 268 or 269, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid that iscombined with the excipient is such that zoledronic acid is present inthe oral dosage form in an amount that is 0.4 mg/kg to about 3 mg/kgbased upon the weight of the mammal.

Embodiment 271. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 270, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid that is combinedwith the excipient is such that zoledronic acid is present in the oraldosage form in an amount that is 0.4 mg/kg to about 1.5 mg/kg based uponthe weight of the mammal.

Embodiment 272. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 270, wherein the amount of zoledronic acid that is combinedwith the excipient is such that zoledronic acid is present in the oraldosage form in an amount that is 0.6 mg/kg to about 0.9 mg/kg based uponthe weight of the mammal.

Embodiment 273. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 268, 269, 270, 271, or 272, wherein the oral dosage form issafe for once daily administration of the oral dosage form for about 3to about 10 days.

Embodiment 274. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 268, 269, 270, 271, or 272, wherein the oral dosage form issafe for once weekly administration of the oral dosage form for about 3to about 10 weeks.

Embodiment 275. A method of safely delivering zoledronic acid to theblood of a mammal through repeated oral administration comprising:

-   -   orally administering about 0.05 mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg of        zoledronic acid to the mammal no more frequently than once a day        and more frequently than once a week; or    -   orally administering about 0.1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg to the        mammal once a week, or less frequently

wherein zoledronic acid is orally administered at least 5 times.

Embodiment 276. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 275, wherein zoledronic acid is orally administered about 5to about 10 times.

Embodiment 277. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 275 or 276, wherein zoledronic acid is orally administered ina dosage form comprising more than about 10% zoledronic acid by weight.

Embodiment 278. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270,271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, or 277, wherein the mammal is a humanbeing.

Embodiment 279. The method of any preceding embodiment, such asembodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270,271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, or 278, wherein about 50 mg to about350 mg of oral zoledronic acid is administered to the mammal per month.

Embodiment 280. An oral dosage form prepared by the method of anypreceding embodiment, such as embodiment 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264,265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, or279.

Embodiment 281. An oral dosage form prepared by the method of anypreceding embodiment, wherein an osteoclast inhibitor, including abisphosphonate, such as zoledronic acid, neridronic acid, etc., is in adosage form containing one of, or a combination of, the ingredients inthe Table E.

Embodiment 282. A molecular complex comprising zoledronic acid orneridronic acid in an acid or a salt form.

Embodiment 283. The molecular complex of Embodiment 282, furthercomprising a basic or a salt form of a) an amine, b) an amide, or c)ammonium.

Embodiment 284. The molecular complex of Embodiment 283, wherein themolecular complex comprises ammonia in a salt form.

Embodiment 285. The molecular complex of Embodiment 283, wherein theamine is an amino acid.

Embodiment 286. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is a lysine.

Embodiment 287. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is L-lysine.

Embodiment 288. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is D-lysine.

Embodiment 289. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is DL-lysine.

Embodiment 290. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is a glycine.

Embodiment 291. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is L-glycine.

Embodiment 292. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is D-glycine.

Embodiment 293. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid is DL-glycine.

Embodiment 294. The molecular complex of Embodiment 283, wherein theamide is nicotinamide.

Embodiment 295. The molecular complex of Embodiment 283, wherein theamine is adenine.

Embodiment 296. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is alanine.

Embodiment 297. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is arginine.

Embodiment 298. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is asparagine.

Embodiment 299. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is aspartic acid.

Embodiment 300. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is cysteine.

Embodiment 301. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is glutamic acid.

Embodiment 302. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is glutamine.

Embodiment 303. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is histidine.

Embodiment 304. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is isoleucine.

Embodiment 305. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is leucine.

Embodiment 306. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is methionine.

Embodiment 307. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is phenylalanine.

Embodiment 308. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is proline.

Embodiment 309. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is serine.

Embodiment 310. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is threonine.

Embodiment 311. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is tryptophan.

Embodiment 312. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is tyrosine.

Embodiment 313. The molecular complex of Embodiment 285, wherein theamino acid (including the DL-mixture, a D-enantiomer, or anL-enantiomer) is valine.

Embodiment 314. A dosage form comprising the molecular complex ofEmbodiment 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293,294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307,308, 309, 310, 311, 312, or 313.

Embodiment 315. The dosage form of Embodiment 314, which is an oraldosage form.

Embodiment 316. A method of treating pain, a musculoskeletal condition,or a condition related to bone or joint comprising administering adosage form of Embodiment 314 or 315 to a mammal in need thereof.

Embodiment 317. The method of Embodiment 316, wherein the mammal is ahuman being.

Embodiment 318. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingacute pain, central pain, radio-therapy or chemo-therapy associatedneuropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis,blood cancers, bone fracture, bone metastases from solid tumors, bonemetastasis, breast cancer, cancer, central multiple sclerosis pain,Charcot's foot, chronic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, diabeticperipheral neuropathy, erosive osteoarthritis, excessive boneresorption, fibrous dysplasia, giant cell tumor of bone, HIV-associatedneuropathy, hypercalcemia of malignancy, inflammatory pain, juvenilerheumatoid arthritis, leukemias, low back pain, lumbar nerve rootcompression, lumbosacral pain, lung cancer, metastatic bone cancer,monoradiculopathies, multiple myeloma, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathicarthropaties, neuropathic pain, non-articular rheumatism,osteoarthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis, Paget's disease,Paget's disease of bone, peri-articular disorders, phantom limb pain,post-herpetic neuralgia, postoperative pain, post-stroke pain, prostatecancer, rheumatoid arthritis, SAPHO syndrome, sero-negative(non-rheumatoid) arthropathies, solid tumors or cancers, spinal cordinjury, systemic lupus erythematosus, transient osteoarthritis of thehip, transient osteoporosis, transient osteoporosis of the hip,trigeminal neuralgia, tumor induced hypocalcemia, or vertebral crushfracture.

Embodiment 319. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingarthritis.

Embodiment 320. The method of Embodiment 319, comprising relieving painassociated with arthritis.

Embodiment 321. The method of Embodiment 320, wherein the arthritisaffects a knee, an elbow, a wrist, a shoulder, or a hip.

Embodiment 322. The method of Embodiment 321, wherein the arthritisaffects a knee.

Embodiment 323. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingmusculoskeletal pain.

Embodiment 324. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatinga bone marrow lesion.

Embodiment 325. The method of Embodiment 324, wherein the mammal is ahuman being that experiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size thatis at least about 15% within about 6 months after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the human being.

Embodiment 326. The method of Embodiment 324, wherein the mammal is ahuman being that experiences a reduction in bone marrow lesion size thatis at least about 25% within about 6 months after the inhibitor ofosteoclast activity is administered to the human being.

Embodiment 327. The method of Embodiment 324, 325, or 326, wherein thebone marrow lesion affects a knee.

Embodiment 328. The method of Embodiment 324, 325, 326, or 327,comprising treating a bone marrow lesion of the knee by selecting apatient having a bone marrow lesion of the knee and OARSI Grade 0 orKellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1 of joint space narrowing, andadministering the dosage form to the patient for the treatment of thebone marrow lesion.

Embodiment 329. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingosteoarthritis.

Embodiment 330. The method of Embodiment 329, wherein the osteoarthritisaffects a knee.

Embodiment 331. The method of Embodiment 329 or 330, comprising treatingan osteolytic lesion associated with osteoarthritis.

Embodiment 332. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, or 331, comprising treatingknee pain.

Embodiment 333. The method of Embodiment 332, comprising treatingmoderate to severe knee pain.

Embodiment 334. The method of Embodiment 332 or 333, wherein the mammalis a human being that has a normal joint space in the knee.

Embodiment 335. The method of Embodiment 332, comprising treating kneepain by:

-   -   1) selecting a patient having knee pain, and:        -   a. OARSI Grade 0 or Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1            of joint space narrowing, or        -   b. pain intensity of 5 or greater measured using the 0-10            NRS, or 5 cm or greater using the 10 cm VAS; and    -   2) administering the dosage form to the patient.

Embodiment 336. The method of Embodiment 335, comprising selecting apatient having OARSI Grade 0 or Kellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1of joint space narrowing.

Embodiment 337. The method of Embodiment 335, comprising selecting apatient having pain intensity of 5 or greater measured using the 0-10NRS, or 5 cm or greater using the 10 cm VAS.

Embodiment 338. The method of Embodiment 335, 336, or 337, wherein thepatient experiences a reduction in pain intensity—when using a 100 mmvisual analog scale—of at least about 5 mm.

Embodiment 339. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingmusculoskeletal pain.

Embodiment 340. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatinginflammatory pain.

Embodiment 341. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingback pain.

Embodiment 342. The method of Embodiment 341, wherein the back paincomprises low back pain.

Embodiment 343. The method of Embodiment 342, wherein the low back painis related to a vertebral change.

Embodiment 344. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingtype 1 Modic changes, or type 1 and type 2 Modic changes.

Embodiment 345. The method of Embodiment 344, wherein the Modic changeis located at C1/2, C2/3, C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, or C6/7.

Embodiment 346. The method of Embodiment 344, wherein the Modic changeis located at C7/T1, T1/2, T2/3, T3/4, T4/5, T5/6, T6/7, T7/8, T8/9,T9/10, T10/11, or T11/12.

Embodiment 347. The method of Embodiment 344, wherein the Modic changeis located at T12/L1, L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, or L5/S1.

Embodiment 348. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingpain in an extremity.

Embodiment 349. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingjoint pain.

Embodiment 350. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingmuscle pain.

Embodiment 351. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingneuropathic pain.

Embodiment 352. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingcomplex regional pain syndrome.

Embodiment 353. The method of Embodiment 352, wherein the complexregional pain syndrome is complex regional pain syndrome type I.

Embodiment 354. The method of Embodiment 352, wherein the complexregional pain syndrome is complex regional pain syndrome type II.

Embodiment 355. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingPaget's disease of bone.

Embodiment 356. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingmultiple myeloma.

Embodiment 357. The method of Embodiment 316 or 317, comprising treatingankylosing spondylitis.

Embodiment 358. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, or 357, wherein the dosage form isadministered about every three months, or more frequently.

Embodiment 359. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, or 358, wherein the mammalexperiences pain relief at least 24 hours after the dosage form isadministered to the mammal.

Embodiment 360. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, or 359, wherein the mammalexperiences pain relief three months after the dosage form isadministered.

Embodiment 361. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, or 360, wherein thehuman being experiences pain relief that lasts for a duration of atleast 48 hours after administration of the dosage form.

Embodiment 362. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, or 361, whereinthe human being receives the dosage form no more often than once daily.

Embodiment 363. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, or 361, whereinthere is a period of about 24 hours to about 7 days betweenadministration of dosage forms.

Embodiment 364. The method of Embodiment 363, wherein the dosage form isadministered weekly.

Embodiment 365. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, or 361, whereinthere is a period of about 14 days to about 28 days betweenadministration of dosage forms.

Embodiment 366. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, or 361, whereinthere is a period of at least one month between administration of dosageforms.

Embodiment 367. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, or 361, whereinthere is a period of about 7 days to about 14 days betweenadministration of dosage forms.

Embodiment 368. The method of Embodiment 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321,322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335,336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349,350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363,364, 365, 366, or 367, wherein the compound is administered more thanonce.

Embodiment 369. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity and/or CTX serum levels.

Embodiment 370. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 5%.

Embodiment 371. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 10%.

Embodiment 372. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 15%.

Embodiment 373. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 20%.

Embodiment 374. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 25%.

Embodiment 375. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 30%.

Embodiment 376. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 35%.

Embodiment 377. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 40%.

Embodiment 378. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 45%.

Embodiment 379. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 50%.

Embodiment 380. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 55%.

Embodiment 381. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 60%.

Embodiment 382. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at about 60%-70%.

Embodiment 383. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 70%-80%.

Embodiment 384. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 70%.

Embodiment 385. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at about 75%.

Embodiment 386. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 80%-90%.

Embodiment 387. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 80%.

Embodiment 388. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 85%.

Embodiment 389. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 80%-85%.

Embodiment 390. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 90%.

Embodiment 391. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 85%-90%.

Embodiment 392. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 85%-95%.

Embodiment 393. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by about 90%-95%.

Embodiment 394. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 95%.

Embodiment 395. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 99%.

Embodiment 396. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases osteoclast activity by at least about 100%.

Embodiment 397. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 5%.

Embodiment 398. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 10%.

Embodiment 399. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 15%.

Embodiment 400. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 20%.

Embodiment 401. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 25%.

Embodiment 402. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 30%.

Embodiment 403. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 35%.

Embodiment 404. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 40%.

Embodiment 405. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 45%.

Embodiment 406. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 50%.

Embodiment 407. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 55%.

Embodiment 408. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 60%.

Embodiment 409. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 60%-70%.

Embodiment 410. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 70%-80%.

Embodiment 411. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by least about 70%.

Embodiment 412. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 75%.

Embodiment 413. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 80%.

Embodiment 414. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 85%.

Embodiment 415. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 80%-85%.

Embodiment 416. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 90%.

Embodiment 417. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 80%-90%.

Embodiment 418. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 85%-90%.

Embodiment 419. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 85%-95%.

Embodiment 420. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by about 90%-95%.

Embodiment 421. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 95%.

Embodiment 422. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 99%.

Embodiment 423. The method, composition, molecular complex, dosage form,or product, of any preceding embodiment, wherein zoledronic acid orneridronic acid decreases CTX serum levels by at least about 100%.

Embodiment 424. The method, dosage form, or product, of any precedingembodiment, wherein the zoledronic acid is orally administered in amanner that results in a 24 hour sustained plasma level factor that isat least 1.5 times that of 4 mg of zoledronic acid administeredintravenously.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodin all instances as indicating both the exact values as shown and asbeing modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, and not asan attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents tothe scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least beconstrued in light of the number of reported significant digits and byapplying ordinary rounding techniques.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,“such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claim. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred toand claimed individually or in any combination with other members of thegroup or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or moremembers of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode knownto the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variationson these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorexpects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, the claims include allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described elements in all possible variations thereof iscontemplated unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed hereinare illustrative of the principles of the claims. Other modificationsthat may be employed are within the scope of the claims. Thus, by way ofexample, but not of limitation, alternative embodiments may be utilizedin accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the claims are notlimited to embodiments precisely as shown and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating osteoarthritis of the kneecomprising administering zoledronic acid to a person in need thereof,wherein the zoledronic acid is administered at least twice, and thezoledronic acid is administered about every three months, or morefrequently, wherein the zoledronic acid is administered in a dosage formthat provides a bioavailability of zoledronic acid of about 1.1% toabout 3.2%.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dosage form provides abioavailability of zoledronic acid of about 1.1% to about 2.4%.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the dosage form provides a bioavailability ofzoledronic acid of about 1.1% to about 2.2%.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the dosage form provides a bioavailability of zoledronic acid ofabout 1.1% to about 2%.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the person hasa normal joint space in the knee, with OARSI Grade 0, or Kellgren andLawrence Grades 0 or 1, joint space narrowing.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the zoledronic acid is orally administered at an interval of 6to 8 days.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the zoledronic acid isorally administered at an interval of 12 to 16 days.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the zoledronic acid is orally administered at aninterval of 26 to 35 days.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thezoledronic acid is orally administered to the person in an acid form.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the zoledronic acid is orallyadministered to the person in a salt form.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the zoledronic acid is orally administered to the person in adisodium salt form.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the personexperiences a reduction in pain intensity of at least about 1.5 cm,using the 10 cm VAS, as compared to a placebo.
 13. The method of claim10, wherein the person experiences a reduction in pain intensity of atleast about 1.5 cm, using the 10 cm VAS, as compared to a placebo. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein about 150 mg to about 250 mg of the saltform of zoledronic acid is orally administered 2 to 3 times a month. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the dosage form contains an amino acid.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the person experiences a reductionof serum CTx levels of about 70% to about 80%.
 17. The method of claim15, wherein the person experiences a reduction of serum CTx levels ofabout 80% to about 90%.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the firsttime the salt form of zoledronic acid is orally administered, the personhas an area under the plasma concentration curve of zoledronic acid fora 24 hour time period (AUC₀₋₂₄) of about 250 ng·hr/mL to about 350ng·hr/mL.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the person experiences areduction in pain intensity of at least about 1.5 cm, using the 10 cmVAS, as compared to a placebo.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein about50 mg to about 60 mg of the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid isorally administered about once a week.
 21. The method of claim 20,wherein the disodium salt form of zoledronic acid is orally administeredabout once a week for 3 to 6 weeks.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe person experiences a reduction of serum CTx levels of about 70% toabout 80%.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the person experiences areduction of serum CTx levels of about 80% to about 90%.
 24. The methodof claim 21, wherein the first time the disodium salt form of zoledronicacid is orally administered, the person has an AUC₀₋₂₄ of zoledronicacid of about 100 ng·hr/mL to about 150 ng·hr/mL.
 25. A method oftreating an osteoarthritis of the knee comprising: selecting a humanpatient having an osteoarthritis of the knee and OARSI Grade 0 orKellgren and Lawrence Grade 0 or Grade 1 of joint space narrowing; andadministering zoledronic acid to the human patient in need thereof,wherein the zoledronic acid is administered in a dosage form thatprovides a bioavailability of zoledronic acid of about 1.1% to about3.0%.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the dosage form provides abioavailability of zoledronic acid of about 1.1% to about 2.8%.
 27. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the AUC of zoledronic acid in the humanpatient, measured over the first month of treatment is about 500 ng·h/mLto about 1000 ng·h/mL.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein orallyadministering zoledronic acid to the human patient results in a C_(max)of zoledronic acid of about 30 ng/mL to about 50 ng/mL.
 29. The methodof claim 25, wherein orally administering zoledronic acid to the humanpatient results in a C_(max) of zoledronic acid of about 50 ng/mL toabout 80 ng/mL.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein orally administeringzoledronic acid to the human patient results in a C_(max) of zoledronicacid of about 80 ng/mL to about 120 ng/mL.